Knoch's Brandon Sloan lights up the night with his trumpet during last year's Saxonburg Holiday Parade. This year's parade will be on Friday.

SAXONBURG — The 2019 Saxonburg Holiday Parade will delight young and old alike Friday, when 22 floats plus sports teams, pageant winners and the marching band from Knoch High School will march east on Main Street.

Joyce Hutterer, who has coordinated the annual parade for its entire 21 years, was assisted this year by Kerri LeDonne, who, she hopes, will take the reins in the next few years.

Hutterer said about 2,000 people attended the parade last year. She said the event always has a great turnout regardless of the weather.

“I think people are looking for things to do over the holidays, and it's become a seasonal tradition for a lot of families,” Hutterer said. “It gets them in the mood for the holidays.”

She said some parades have been held in frigid conditions, causing observers to wrap up in thick blankets over their heavy coats.

“But they do come out,” Hutterer said. “They put their chairs out the day before to mark their spots. I always say that's how you know you've made it as a parade in Saxonburg: People put their chairs out.”

An exciting element of this year's parade will be the Knoch girls varsity volleyball team.

Members of the team, whose winning season led them to the PIAA Class 3A girls volleyball semifinal, will make their way down Main Street.

“They had such a great year,” Hutterer said. “I think it's so exciting, and I love that they'll have the opportunity for the community to honor them in the parade.”

The Knoch Knights Marching Band will lead off the parade, and other fall sports teams will march or ride down Main Street.

The horse and buggy pulling Santa and Mrs. Claus, the most highly anticipated float, will arrive last.

The Grinch — played by Hutterer's son-in-law, Matt Michaelis, for the past five years — will serve as the pooper scooper for Santa's ride.

Hutterer said the poor Grinch is ruthlessly heckled each year as he performs his dirty task, which could be his penance for trying to steal Christmas.

After waving and ho-ho-hoing his way down Main Street, Santa will be set up in the South Butler Community Library to hear the Christmas wishes of local children.

Mrs. Claus will have cookies ready for the tots, and pictures with the Jolly Old Elf will be available.

The Hattie and Reldon Cooper Fund will provide horse-drawn carriage rides on Main Street after the parade until 9 p.m.

Hutterer said businesses will be open during the parade, and many will offer sales or promotions.

“The parade showcases everything the town has to offer, and we hope people will come back to Christmas shop,” she said.

Last year, 500 glow sticks were handed out to children, but organizers ran out.

“We'll have 1,000 this year,” Hutterer said. “It's really cool to look up Main Street and see all the glow sticks.”

Three Wise Men and baby camels — which some say strongly resemble lamas — will be set up in the Consolidated Communications parking lot. A living Nativity scene will be available for viewing in front of Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Hutterer loves everything about the Saxonburg Holiday Parade, but admits she has one favorite aspect.

“There's nothing like seeing kids smiling and getting excited to see Santa Claus,” she said.