1996 Original Wanamaker Light Show 1 of 2

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLhSq1IT7u8

For full history of the Wanamaker Light Show: http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/xmas.php

June 21 1995, the Wanamaker franchise was acquired by the May Company after which the Wanamaker's name was removed from the Philadelphia store and replaced with Hecht's.

Like many in Philadelphia, my family had made it a tradition to go see the Wanamaker Light Show every year. Fearing that the new owners would discontinue the light show, my Dad brought our newly purchased VHS camcorder to the Grand Court, sat on the floor, and captured the light show in its full glory preserving it, at least, in our family forever. Fortunately, Macy's has realized the Philadelphia treasure that is the light show, and has ensured its survival with LED, installation, and computer system upgrades.

This video is from 1996 and presents the light show as many remember it; with the Dancing Water fountains, incandescent lights, the original Magic Christmas Tree, and the March of the Toys segment that is absent from the light show today (introduced in 1985 as a promotion for the Wanamaker Rudi Bears). The only portion missing from this video, unfortunately, is the narration of John Facenda. The original narration contained the Wanamaker name in the opening message, and was therefore re-recorded with a similar sounding male voice to align with the Hechts renaming. The Wanamaker Organ did not play during the finale, I suspect they did not play the organ for each finale as they do today.

Christmas in the Grand Tradition!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Wanamaker Light Show
• Wanamaker Organ
• Christmas
• Philadelphia
• Macy's
• Light Show
• Great Court

[tlachtga]

@Bekishlyn I really hope you get a chance to put that up on here!

[philly601]

I worked at John Wanamaker's in 1982-'83, Terence on the Court 3rd Floor, and remembering seeing this show everyday. It was beautiful! If anybody worked at that resturant during that time, send me a messege:)

[Bekishlyn]

I got video of this show which I shot in the mid 1980s, I have to dig it out, as I have the complete show, might even have video of the infamous monorail up on the fourth floor.

[681lionelbob]

I'm chevybrs's Dad. I sat on the marble floor of the atrium for 30 minutes before the show to get the proper angle. My legs had fallen asleep, and it was quite a chore holding the old VHS camcorder (and my breath) on your shoulder for 7 minutes without moving (much). Thankfully, the children around us were not too noisy. I watched this show when I was a child, back in the early 60's , so I wanted to capture it just in case it was eliminated.

[alnage]

1996, the year there were 2 strawbridges in center city.

[bceagledeb]

@niksiz Thanks so much - I cannot WAIT to see it again. I will even drag my nieces to experience the quintessential Philadelphia Christmas tradition.  In the meantime, Go Phils!!!! :)

[niksiz]

@bceagledeb Yes, it's shown every hour on the hour, 10am-8pm, from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve. The entire show has been completely rebuilt and modernized by Macy's, including LED lights.

[bceagledeb]

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for posting this. Whoever shot this did a terrific job! I haven't seen the show in a few years and I don't know if they still do this. I hope they do because I am going home to Philly for Christmas this year and I'd love to see it.

[daisymaisy66]

I worked at Hecht's that first Christmas in 95' for some part time work. I heard this many times each day and thought it was great. Thank for sharing.

[ryknow80787]

Thank you for posting this! I have missed seeing the original show! It is just not the same without the fountains!