FireCity Illusion
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Picture

Closing out holiday edition

In case you don't feel like checking out the video:

Started out as a fairly simple 1st holiday edition. Early November: Watched ice skating in 70-degree temps (Bryant Park / NYC). First time covering Thanksgiving Day Parade in warm weather (Philadelphia). Incredible "lack of Christmas City" (Bethlehem, PA). Christmas Parade in a downpour / Downtown Philadelphia (multiple stops in 1 day). Back to NYC: Union Square Christmas Village / St. Patrick's Cathedral / survived Rockefeller Center (1st time I was glad to be out of a crowd).

Christmas Eve: NYC / near zero temps / video article midnight Times Square / thrilled to wake up in the city Christmas morning. New Year's Eve: Philadelphia / fairly warm / Square Drop / midnight fireworks (incredible) / Mummers Parade.

Multiple stops at Bryant Park (favorite especially during holidays). 5 Christmas Villages / 1 Winter Garden / 1 Winter Village. Best Christmas Eve in 16 years. One of the best New Year's in my life.

philadelphia pa

Videos / photos / review: 2023 Midnight New Year's Fireworks / Penn's Landing
Videos / photos / review: 2023 Mummers Parade
Video / photos / article: Square Drop / Franklin Square / New Year's Eve
Photos / review: Rittenhouse Square Holiday Season
Photos / review: Macy's Holiday Light Show
Video review / photo: Franklin Square Holiday Light Show
Review / photos: Franklin Square Chilly Golf
Photos / videos / video review: Visit Philly Holiday Parade
Photos / video review: Miracle on South 13th Street
Photos: Philadelphia 2022 Holiday Season
Video review: Macy's Dickens Village
Article / photos / videos: 2022 Holiday Light Show / City Hall
Video article / photos / videos: 2022 Philadelphia Christmas Village / Wintergarden
Video article / photos / videos: 2022 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
Press Release: Winter in Franklin Square
Video article / photos: Franklin Square Halloween
Video article / photos: Betsy Ross House Halloween​

new york city

Video article / photo: Midnight Christmas Eve 2022 / Times Square
Video review / photos: Element Hotel / Times Square West
Video article / photos: Bryant Park Christmas Eve 2022
Video article / photos: Christmas Village Union Square / NYC
Video article / photos: St. Patrick's Cathedral / NYC
Video article / photos: Saks 5th Avenue holiday light show
Video article / photos: Rockefeller Center / Holiday Season / NYC
Video article / article: Reasons coverage Winter Village / Bryant Park pulled
Video review / photos: Winter Village / Bryant Park
Video preview / photos: Winter Village / Bryant Park

bethlehem pa

Video review: Corinne Mammana Christmas EP Release Party / Concert
Video article / photo: Yule / Winter Solstice Celebration
Video article / photos: 2022 Tree Lighting
Video article / photos: 2022 Holiday Season
Video article / photos: 2022 Christkindlmarkt
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  • FireCity Illusion
  • March 8 2026 Edition
    • Business >
      • Encore Virtual Workforce Dialogue
      • SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Pennsylvania Businesses
    • Community >
      • Pocono Chamber Public Policy Meeting Highlights
    • Events >
      • Elected Officials to Speak at Legislative Luncheon
    • Fashion >
      • Spotlight on Jennifer Atilemile
    • Films >
      • Black Public Media Shines in Close Up
      • Why Has Homegrown Not Been Distributed in U.S.
    • Music >
      • Starling's Single Gymnast Reframes Narrative of Strength
    • Politics >
      • President Trump Has Secured New Investments
      • Career and Technical Education Programs
      • Democrats Reckless DHS Shutdown
      • President Trump Award Medal of Honor
    • Sports
    • Alabama >
      • Gov Ivey Deadline Summer Internship Program
    • Connecticut
    • Iowa >
      • Gov Reynolds Increasing State Aid to Public Schools
    • Michigan >
      • Gov Whitmer Appointments Commissions February 26
    • Missouri
    • Tennessee
    • Utah
  • Independent Creators
  • About
  • Archives 2026
  • Archives 2025
  • Archives 2024
  • Archives 2023
  • Archives 2022
  • Surreal ValeCity