Hunter Rossi, 5, left, stands with RJ Rossi, 7, at one of the many displays set up during Slippery Rock's Light the Rock & Christmas Market on Saturday.

SLIPPERY ROCK — Locals rocked around the Rock on Saturday night during the downtown Light the Rock & Christmas Market.

The annual Christmas kickoff in northwest Butler County began in earnest at 4 p.m., when Santa Claus arrived at Memorial Park, and festivities continued throughout the evening with the lighting of a large evergreen tree — one of three Christmas trees in the borough — and various live music opportunities.

And those music opportunities weren't just limited to the guitarists and singers outside Ginger Hill Tavern, either.

In fact, Terri Pizor of Slippery Rock said her favorite part of the festivities was the elementary school-age children singing as the carriage rides began at 4:30 p.m.

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Raelyn Johnston age 4 peers through the cutout snowman photo display during Slippery Rock's Light the Rock event. (Steven Dalton Photo)