Santa arrives during last year's Old-Fashioned Holiday Parade in Zelienople. This year's parade will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 28.

Mars and Zelienople will kick off the Christmas season with their annual holiday parades on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Each of the events will give families an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus and enjoy holiday festivities.

Here is a look at the two parades, plus scheduled holiday activities at the Strand Theater in Zelienople

MarsThe annual holiday parade and Light Up Night will be at 6 p.m. Friday.Jeff Liberatore, president of Adams Area Fire District and Christmas parade coordinator for five years, said the parade will begin at Beaver Street and go through the downtown to the post office.He said emergency services organizations slated to participate include Adams Area fire trucks, police vehicles from Mars, Callery and Adams townships and Quality EMS ambulances.Floats from several Mars businesses will be included, along with Mars Fightin' Planets Marching Band.Santa Claus will appear on a float, which will stop for him to light the Christmas tree in the town square.The jolly old elf will then continue on the float for the remainder of the parade, after which he will listen to youngsters' toy requests at the spaceship downtown.Free hot dogs and beverages will be available on Grand Avenue across the street from the spaceship.Liberatore said the parade normally attracts 1,000 to 1,500 people, depending on the weather.He said small-town celebrations like the Christmas parade are important as Christmas is steeped in commercialism."It makes children believe in what Christmas is all about," Liberatore said."(The parade) is always a good time," Liberatore said. "People really enjoy it and we get a lot of comments that they really appreciate it."

ZelienopleSanta Claus comes to the borough for its annual Old-Fashioned Holiday Parade along Main Street at 11 a.m. Nov. 28. The Zelienople-Harmony Business Association sponsors the parade, which will feature the Seneca Valley Marching Band.Participants can line up after 10 a.m. on High Street near the Zelienople Public Library. Prizes will be given in four categories: musical groups, dancing groups, floats and walking groups.The business association requests that any performing groups limit their performances to no more than three minutes. Participants also are reminded the borough does not allow candy or other items to be thrown from vehicles in the parade.Santa Claus will be in his house in Four Corners Park immediately following the parade.Starting Dec. 10, hours for visits at Santa's House will be from 6 to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23.For information, contact Neil Jackson of the Zelienople-Harmony Business Association at 724-452-6655.

Strand TheaterFor its first Christmas in operation in more than 25 years, the Strand Theater has planned a full slate of seasonal activities starting with the Zelie Holiday Magic, a wine and beer tasting event that includes music by Ben Hardt, a fashion show and gift showcase featuring Zelienople and Harmony merchants."We're very excited about our programming lineup for the Christmas season," said Ron Carter, president and executive director of The Strand Theater Initiative, the charitable group that operates the theater.Tickets for the Zelie Holiday Magic are $20.Here are the scheduled events:•

Dec. 4 to 6 — The movie "Scrooged," starring Bill Murray, will be shown at. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Tickets cost $5, $4 for seniors 60 and older.•

Dec. 11 — The Joe Negri Quartet Christmas Concert will be at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $29.•

Dec. 12 — An Inspirational Christmas will be presented at 8 p.m. Churches come together for an evening of music and praise. Tickets cost $15, or $10 for children 12 and younger.•

Dec. 13 — The movie "The Polar Express," featuring the voice of Tom Hanks, will be shown at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $5, $4 for seniors 60 and older.•

Dec. 18 to 20 — The movie "White Christmas," starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 20. Tickets cost $5, $4 for seniors 60.•

Dec. 26 to 27 — The movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," starring Chevy Chase, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 27. Tickets cost $5, $4 for seniors.For information, visit the theater's Web site at www.thestrandtheater.org or call the box office at 724-742-0400.Eagle Staff Writers Paula Grubbs and Bob Schultz contributed to this report.