A plethora of pleasant pines lined the halls of the Cranberry Township Municipal Center.

The trees are part of Cranberry Township Community Chest's Tree Gallery, but that wasn't the only draw for people to stop by the township center over the weekend.

On both Saturday and Sunday, children enjoyed free cookies and a visit from Santa Claus.

Sunny Park and her son, Eddie Ryu, of Seven Fields stopped to check out some of the trees.

Eddie said he got to talk with Santa after he ate his cookie.

“I got a Christmas tree-shaped cookie with green icing and Christmas-colored sprinkles,” he said.

Eddie asked Santa for Perler beads, which are crafty beads that can be placed into patterns and then heated to fuse the beads together.

On Sunday, Cranberry also offered families a chance to bring their pets for photographs with Mr. Kringle.

Larry Trenga of Cranberry Township and his daughters, Marina and Brianne Trenga, sophomores at Montour High School, stopped by with their pet guinea pig and cat.

For the photograph, Marina held the guinea pig.

“I love it. I get so excited when they get to have their pictures taken,” Marina said.

Brianne held the cat name Gypsy.

“It's not like Gypsy likes it very much, but I like it,” Brianne said.

Larry Trenga said this is the second year they've had their holiday photographs taken with their pets at the Cranberry event, and they used last year's photographs for their Christmas cards.

“It's very unique and it's very fun,” Larry Trenga said. “It's fun because we all get to do it together.”

Jacob and Joan Lapyczak brought their Jack Russell named Pete for his photograph.

“He gets his picture taken with Santa every year,” Joan Lapyczak said. “It's a memory for us.”

Jacob Lapyczak said the couple's daughter used to own the dog, but she has since moved to North Carolina.

“It's something for her to see too,” he said.

Both of Sunday's events were run through the Cranberry Township Parks and Recreation Department.

Val Murphy, the department's program director, said this is the third year they've run the two programs.

“We change up the crafts and games every year, but for the most part we're pretty consistent.”

Murphy said for the children, the cookies and the milk are add-ons.

“Santa is the main event,” she said.

Murphy said the pet photos with Santa Claus draw a lot of people because they aren't used to being able to bring animals to holiday events.

“A lot of times it's not an opportunity. You can't go to the mall and bring your pets with you,” she said. “Pets are a part of people's families. It's nice to give people the opportunity.”