Mediaboss Marketing

The past year has been both unfathomable and unforgettable.

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic irrevocably altered life in Pennsylvania and around the globe. As the virus emerged in the spring, life changed in ways no one could have foreseen or even conceived a year ago.

Schools, businesses, sports and entertainment venues shut down. Doctors and nurses scrambled to treat patients suffering from an illness they were only beginning to understand. Shoppers endured shortages of staples such as disinfectants and toilet paper. Many had to work at home and simultaneously help their children navigate the concept of going to school virtually.

The restrictions on many normally routine aspects of daily life fueled tensions and conflicts between elected officials and ordinary citizens alike. But many came together to support family members, neighbors and strangers coping with the worst pandemic in a century.

While the pandemic defined the year in Pennsylvania, protests for social justice in the wake of George Floyds death emerged from cities to small towns. People of all backgrounds came together to call for racial justice and equality.

Pennsylvania became a key battleground in the presidential election, with President Donald Trump and Joe Biden campaigning across the commonwealth. The Keystone State remained in the spotlight after Biden won in Pennsylvania, as Trump and his supporters filed a series of unsuccessful legal challenges in hopes of changing the result.

PennLives photographers captured the striking, celebratory and surreal images of a year like no other. Some photos from the beginning of the year, before the pandemics emergence, may evoke fond memories and hopes of better times to come.

2020 started off like any other year with revelers ringing in the new year on Second Street in Harrisburg. However, it soon took a drastic turn.

Balloons fall as children and their parents celebrate New Years Eve at City Hall prior to the celebration on Second Street in Harrisburg. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Participants take part in the 23rd annual Penguin Plunge by taking a dip into the Susquehanna River at City Island in Harrisburg, January 1, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The square dance competition on day 3 of the 2020 Pa. Farm Show seen from inside a light fixture above the arena floor on Jan. 06, 2020.

Mike Schumaci vacuums a taxidermy black bear while setting up his booth at the 2020 Great American Outdoor Show at the Farm Show Complex on Jan. 31, 2020. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction at Gobblers Knob on Groundhog Day on Feb. 02, 2020. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Pallbearers escort the casket of former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed at the end of his funeral mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Feb. 3, 2020. The controversial Reed served as mayor from 1982 until 2010, during which time he advocated for numerous development projects. Since leaving office, he faced 200 criminal charges related to a proposed Wild West museum. Reed ultimately pleaded guilty to 20 counts of theft by receiving stolen property in 2017, resulting in probation.

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf gets a kiss from his wife Frances following his 2020-21 budget address on Feb. 4, 2020 in the House of Representatives as Second Lady Gisele Fetterman, right, looks on. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Dr. Christopher Andrews of Waynesboro dons a light-up cape during Penn States Thon on Feb. 22, 2020, held at the Bryce Jordan Center. The annual fundraiser totaled $11,696,942.38. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Pa. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine demonstrates the proper way to shield a cough as sign language interpreter Ashley Shenk signs during an update on COVID-19 on March 6, 2020. Gov. Tom Wolf and Levine outlined steps Pennsylvanians could take to keep themselves healthy. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Paul Robertson stocks shelves at the Fine Wine and Good Spirits Premium Collection store on Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township on March 17, 2020. The PLCB closed state liquor stores at 9 p.m. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The Lebanon Farmers Market sells inexpensive toilet paper, paper towels and other supplies to help the local community during the coronavirus outbreak. Manager Joya Morrissey lines up more toilet paper on March 19, 2020. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Relatives and friends of Anthony L. Brown, 29, also known as Juice Man, gather to light candles and remember Brown, two days after someone kicked in his bedroom door and fatally shot him. The homicide remains unsolved. March 19, 2020. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

With churches unable to conduct in-person services, Chuck Personeus of West Pennsboro sings along to the music during a service conducted by the Newville Assembly of God Church held at the Cumberland Drive-In on March 22, 2020. The service was broadcast through the drive-ins radiofrequency. Over 300 cars were in attendance and the service was live-streamed as well. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

House Minority Whip Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, leaves the House floor wearing gloves and a mask after the morning session on March 24, 2020. The House session would be the first in state history where members were able to vote remotely due to the coronavirus outbreak. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Service 1st Restoration worker, Nick Hamilton, sprays disinfectant throughout the Centric Bank corporate headquarters to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Service 1st works with a number of local corporations by going to their buildings after hours and spraying the buildings. March 25, 2020. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Highspire Mayor Brenda Hoerner marries Kristina Souders and Brian Handley in the kitchen of her home. The couple had applied for a marriage license prior to the coronavirus pandemic and decided to go ahead with the ceremony and make it very small to go along with social distancing practices. March 28, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Rev. James Jackson, of the Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church in Harrisburg, holds Palm Sunday Service via Facebook Live. Rev. Jackson reacts when a parishioner pulls out a can of Lysol and playfully tells him to stay back. April 05, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

CBS 21 Weatherman Steve Knight does his weather forecast from his living room due to the coronavirus pandemic. April 06, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Each morning, neighbors on North 2nd Street in Harrisburg gather to recite the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mark Bennington. April 14, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Janiliz Arcelay, left stands with other customers outside the Hazleton Food Super Market on Wyoming Street on April 15, 2020. Only five people are allowed in at a time due to the coronavirus pandemic. The city of Hazleton was one of the big hot spots in Pennsylvania due to a break out in meat processing plants. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

More than 1,000 gather for the Reopen PA rally outside the Pa State Capitol. The event started on social media, but it grew quickly, drawing in thousands of people. The rally was held to call on Gov. Tom Wolf to allow businesses to reopen and people to go back to work, but organizers say it was also an exercise in civil liberties, and that they have the right to gather, despite stay-at-home orders. April 20, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Armed protesters rally at the Pa. Capitol against Gov. Tom Wolfs coronavirus shutdown on April 20, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Crews work at the scene of a train derailment on the western approach to the Rockville Bridge at Marysville, Pa., Apr. 23, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Portrait of Rachel Heinbaugh, Critical Care, at UPMC Community Osteopathic for National Nurses Week. April 29, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Donna Welch, closes the casket during the funeral for her husband, 56-year-old Gerald Welch,a Harrisburg school board member who was killed by COVID-19. The funeral was held at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church with only a few people in attendance. May 2, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

East Pennsboro barber Brad Shepler cuts customer Richard Zerbes hair after opening his shop May 11, 2020 in defience of Gov. Wolfs stay-at-home order. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Members of ReOpen PA, a group of about 85,000 concerned citizens, and affiliated groups throughout Pennsylvania, protest on the Pa. State Capitol steps in Harrisburg. May 15, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

CASA in Action joined the National Day of Mourning and conducted a funeral protest of the Trump administrations and Republican officials failure to protect working and immigrant families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The protestors drove from Broad Street Market to the GOP Headquarters on State Street. Protestors add a photo of a loved one that passed away from COVID-19. May 20, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Huge crowds flock to Lincoln Speedway for the return of racing despite the governors orders on limited crowds at events on May 25, 2020. Most of the crowd were unmasked. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Three girls attend a vigil for Tyrone Gibson, 14, at the spot where he was shot and killed the previous afternoon in Harrisburg, Pa., May 27, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Harrisburg Black Lives Matter Demonstration at the Capitol to protest the murder of George Floyd. May 30, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Harrisburg Black Lives Matter Demonstration at the Capitol to protest the murder of George Floyd. May 30, 2020. The rally turned violent as protesters clashed with police resulting in the shooting of pepper spray by authorities into the crowd. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Protestors yell at a police vehicle parked on Walnut Street in Harrisburg during the Black Lives Matter Demonstration at the Capitol to protest the death of George Floyd while in custody of police in Minneapolis. The rally turned violent as protesters clashed with police resulting in the shooting of pepper spray by authorities into the crowd. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

A man is treated after being hit by spray at the Harrisburg Black Lives Matter Demonstration at the Capitol to protest the death of George Floyd. May 30, 2020. The rally turned violent as protesters clashed with police resulting in the shooting of pepper spray by authorities into the crowd. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

A demonstration is held at the state Capitol by The Movement-Harrisburgs Protest to Protect all People, to protest racism and oppression and the death of George Floyd. June 1, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Harrisburg police Commissioner Thomas Carter takes a knee as he apologizes to the crowd for treatment by police at Saturdays demonstration. A demonstration is held at the state Capitol by The Movement-Harrisburgs Protest to Protect all People, to protest racism and oppression and the death of George Floyd. June 1, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Greg Olejniczak poses for a photo. East Pennsboro High School gives graduating students a sendoff, including a walk on stage, in the school gym. June 2, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Funeral service for 14 year-old Tyrone Gibson who was shot and killed days before in Harrisburg. June 4, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Mike Mangano speaks as elected officials and community members gather at a protest in support of Taste of Sicily, a Palmyra-based restaurant thats been allowing customers to have sit-down meals in violation of Gov. Tom Wolfs reopening plan. June 5, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Hannah McOmber, of Gettysburg, prays on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol at a Ministers prayer gathering in Harrisburg, Pa., June 6, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

A little girl and her doll don masks for the Susquehanna Twp. High School graduation on June 9, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

A protester stands in front of the United States Federal Building during a Black Lives Matter rally and march in Harrisburg. June 17, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

The Spring Carlisle auto show and flea market opens up despite Gov. Tom Wolfs COVID-19 protocols on crowds. June 17, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Nursing home workers and advocates light over 3,400 tea lights on the steps of the state capitol in Harrisburg to represent the women and men who have died of COVID-19 in PA nursing homes. The event was part of a National Nursing Home Day of Action. June 18, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Gary Willis of Steelton gets coffee from Susan Owen of the East Shore Diner as businesses reopen in Dauphin County on June 19, 2020. The Xs on the stools are for social distancing. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Riders enjoy the Carousel as Knoebels Amusement Park opens for the 2020 season on July 1, 2020. Visitors to the park were asked to wear masks at all times. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Trent Somes of Hanover (wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt) is confronted in the Gettysburg cemetery by militia members on July 4, 2020. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Travelers make their way through the security checkpoint as airline travel is on the increase at Harrisburg International Airport on July 22, 2020. Air travel had been down dramatically across the country as the public stayed home due to COVID-19. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Tommy Mealy, Athletic Director and assistant coach for Bishop McDevitt, cleans footballs during the start of summer workouts on July 15, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

An Assemble for Freedom rally is held on the steps of the Pennsylvania state Capitol, July 22, 2020. The rally is to call out the Governor (Tom Wolf) and to demand to be set free from any and all restrictions and to return freedom of choice to We the People, according to rally organizers. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

A Black Lives Matter mural is being painted on the side of the Harrisburg Improv Theatre on North 3rd Street. The BLM Muralists was created in direct response to current and past events that plague our nation. They are a collective of individuals who will use their various talents, as a unit, to get the message out to the public at large. Their goal is simple, to bring awareness to the city via BLM murals, banners and possible future, free, public events. Mike Fitzgerald(left) and Gary Dutson prepare to draw the letters on the wall. July 29, 2020.

Central Dauphin High School graduating senior Claira DeGrandchamp poses for photos with Assistant Principal Ms. Kristin Herb during belated graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic, at Landis Field in Harrisburg, Pa., July 30, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

First-year students wait in lines to get their check-in paperwork inside the Bryce Jordan Center as Penn State students register for classes and get ready for the start of the fall 2020 semester on August 20, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The family of Jonathan Tims gathers in Hbg. to rally for more information/justice in his case. The family members are frustrated after he was killed and the crime remains unsolved 2 months later. August 29, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

A Candlelight vigil was held for Kaylee Lyons and Sydney Parmelee, who police say were killed by teh same man in Cumberland County this summer. August 22, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

Eighth-grade students in their classroom on the first day of school at Holy Name of Jesus School in Lower Paxton Township, August 24, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Pa. House Republicans announce they will attempt to bring an end to the governors COVID-19 disaster declaration at a news conference in the Rotunda of the Ryan Office Building at the Capitol Complex. September 2, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Principal Dave Echelmeier helps students find their classrooms as students arrive at South Mountain Elementary School for the first day of the 2020-21 school year in the Northern York County School District, September 8, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

A march in honor of 16-year-old Kyan King who was fatally shot after he was seen running away, naked, from the man charged in his killing, Orlando P. Duarte. King had been at the suspects home earlier that day, where police say he wrote a note saying, If youre reading this, Im dead, The march went from 18th and Forster streets to the Capitol. September 06, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

Donald Trump Jr. speaks at a Sportsmen for Trump event at the Blue Ridge Sportsman Club on September 16, 2020. Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

President Donald Trump holds a rally at Harrisburg International Airport in Lower Swatara Twp. on September 26, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

Vice President Mike Pence kisses his wife, Karen before a Presidential Debate Watch Party in Lititz, PA. September 29, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

Supporters gather for a Presidential Debate Watch Party where Vice President Mike Pence would make an appearance in Lititz, PA. September 29, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

Penn State heads takes the field in an empty Beaver Stadium for their season opener against Ohio State on Oct. 31, 2020. This game would normally be the stadium-wide Whiteout where all fans dress in white but the Big ten conference ruled there would be no fans allowed, except for players families, at the games. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Voters at Ridgeway Community Church, in the seventh ward of Susquehanna Township, line up to cast their ballot in the Pennsylvania general election, November 3, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Election volunteers conduct pre-canvassing of mail-in and absentee ballots at the Dauphin County Administration Building in Harrisburg. The volunteers inspect the envelopes and separate the privacy envelope from the ballot envelope to prepare ballots for scanning. November 3, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Mitchel Bauer of Harrisburg stands draped in an American flag during a Rally to Count Every Vote on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. November 04, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com

Pennsylvania State Police investigate a crash scene where they say a woman died when her vehicle went off the roadway and landed on its roof in Stony Creek, next to the Stoney Creek Restaurant and Lounge in Dauphin Borough, November 4, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Supporters of President Donald Trump hold a rally to Stop the Steal and to count every legal vote of the election at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, November 5, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Dailey Monroe, of Harrisburg, waves a Biden for President 2020 flag in front of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg after the U.S. presidential election was called for Biden, Nov. 7, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Kashden Dunlap, of Enola, visits with Santa Claus with safety protocols in place, at Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township, November 11, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Nathaniel Williams II collects a swab sample from Casey Stouffer of Steelton at the COVID-19 mobile testing unit. Hamilton Health Center offers free COVID-19 testing at a mobile location set up in Steelton, November 13, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Susquehanna Dance Academy students perform a number from the Nut Cracker in Harrisburgs Reverse Holiday Parade, where parade participants stand in one place on City Island and families driving by in their cars, Nov. 21, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

The Steelton-Highspire football team celebrates winning the 2020 PIAA, Class 1A state championship at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pa., with a parade in Steelton, Pa, Nov. 27, 2020. Freshman Quarterback Alex Erby holds the championship trophy while other players sport their gold medals. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Funeral services are held at Paxtang Cemetery for Reginald A. Guy Jr., a civic leader, activist and attorney in Harrisburg. December 7, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Stephanie Tighe, a community health worker with UPMC Pinnacle Mission Effectiveness, delivers a new pair of glasses to Mark at the homeless encampment near the PennDot building in Harrisburg on Dec. 2, 2020. He was headed to his brothers house. Tighe had taken Mark for an eye exam earlier and was finally able to connect after searching for several weeks. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Ben Ried shovels snow in front of the Mechanicsburg Volunteer Fire Station 2 on York Street during a blizzard on Dec. 16, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Read the original post:
2020 in Pa.: The year in photos - pennlive.com - PennLive