Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Vanessa Fatur, is getting ready for Christmas celebrations in Zelienople. Children can visit Santa in his house in the borough's community park starting on Saturday after the parade.

ZELIENOPLE — For as long as Dan Fritch remembers, Santa Claus has spent his holiday season in Zelienople.

Situated in the borough's community park, the house itself pops up in early November each year, with Santa himself making his grand entrance during the borough's Christmas parade the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Once there, he is visited by hundreds of children and their families over the course of the holiday season.

It's a tradition that Fritch, president of the Zelienople Business Association, remembers for all of his 53 years.

“It's a great tradition,” he said. “It's nice to have small-town traditions. That's what people are drawn to.”

The original version of the house dates back several decades and had to be assembled each year. The current version, built by the Kiwanis Club, is built on a metal frame and stored throughout the rest of the year. The business association owns the structure as well as the decorations, Fritch said.

Once it arrives on site, it is decorated inside and out, as is the park surrounding it. Fritch said the business association works with other civic organizations, including the Lions Club and Boy Scout Troop 457, as well as borough officials, to get the area looking festive.

“It takes a whole lot of work from people in the community,” he said.

After Santa makes his way through town as part of the parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, he'll meet with children throughout the day.

He'll also open his house to visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and on Saturdays throughout the season.

Fritch said the visits with Santa have become a tradition for many Zelienople natives.

“It means a lot, especially to people who grew up in the area and come back and take their kids,” he said.

Don Pepe, Zelienople borough manager, echoed that thought. He said the Santa House personifies the borough's motto of “a modern place with old-fashion grace.”

“It's something everybody looks forward to, and gives a tone to the town that it's a warm, friendly, family oriented type of town,” he said.