The Steam Whistle Of York

You may recall this post from a year ago regarding a factory in York, Pennsylvania.  Every Christmas since 1955, at 12:15 AM, the eerie notes of Christmas carols played through a steam whistle blast into the night sky.  As each song ends, parked cars all around this old factory and in the surrounding blocks honk and beep in approval and excitement.  These unholy-sounding songs can be heard for miles around.  It was pretty exceptional, and the absolute best way to start a Christmas.  We had an amazing time being a part of this magic.

Hoping you all had a wonderful holiday.  

Here's a video of the tail end of White Christmas (I swear that’s what it was).

Now Playing: The Steam Whistle Of York, Pennsylvania

"WORLD’S LOUDEST MUSIC WITHOUT AMPLIFICATION FROM A NON-MUSICAL INSTRUMENT"

Every Christmas morning at 12:15 AM since December 25, 1955, the Ryan family has presented a unique heralding of the holiday season. Announcing the arrival of Christmas day, whistle master Donald E. Ryan starts to play carols on a factory whistle. Thousands of people each year make listening to the carols part of their holiday tradition. This tradition has, perhaps, no other counterpart in the world!

Click below for a great little news segment...

And here to see some video of it happening early Christmas morning (from the outside)...

When you watch stuff like this, you realize Tradition is one of the most wonderful and uniquely human things on the face of this earth, and in the Universe most likely (assumption).

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve!  

Click here for more information on the Whistle Concert.