Brinley Holloway mails her letter to Santa during Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

CRANBERRY TWP — Despite his never-ending list of responsibilities during this time of year, Santa Claus doesn’t forget to rank Cranberry at the top of his destination list.

Thousands of children and parents greeted jolly Saint Nick as he made his way to the township’s newly renovated municipal building for his first stop of the year on Friday evening, Nov. 22.

“We love the fact that he decides to make the first stop of the season here in Cranberry Township,” said Dan Santoro, township manager. “Our parks and recreation department, along with our public works department, do a great job of getting the grounds ready for Santa. It just gets better every year.”

Santa’s First Stop is a tradition dating back several decades in the township. Each year draws a crowd that quickly fills up the hundreds of parking spots surrounding the building.

“The families, the kids and just all of the people together,” said supervisors chairman Mike Manipole about what makes the event so special. “You can always feel the excitement here, and everyone is just happy to be here. It’s so great seeing neighbors, families, grandchildren and grandparents celebrating the common goal of niceness.”

This year’s event featured a Polar Express Experience, festive photo booth, live reindeer and a room devoted to Lego building courtesy of Steel City LUG. Members of the Dutilh Church sang carols, and the library hosted arts and crafts activities for children.

There also were numerous local businesses and township employees who set up activities in the gym while thousands of children waited to greet Santa Claus.

“Our employees love this holiday,” Manipole said. “This is a great place because our employees really do care about the community and the people we serve.”

Just a day before the event, township officials and partners gathered out front for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the Armstrong Great Lawn. While the weather was less than ideal, it did not deter township staff from setting up a multitude of bright lights and Christmas decorations for families to enjoy as they made their way inside.

“We’ve made this (municipal center) a destination, a place where families can all be and where everyone can get together and celebrate what’s great about our community,” Manipole said. “It’s so exciting because this is just a kickoff of events that will stay in families’ memories for a lifetime.”

Supervisor Mike Manipole welcomes Saint Nick to Santa’s First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Brinley Holloway, left, and Ryder Holloway stop to get reindeer food at the Polar Express Experience during Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

From left, Luka Alioto, Anthony Alioto, Gabriella Alioto and Mario Alioto pose with Mrs. Claus during Santa’s First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Hundreds of local residences turned out for Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

The Dutilh choir performs during Santa’s First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Brinley Holloway gets her face painted at the Polar Express Experience during Santa's First Stop on Friday Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Supervisor Mike Manipole welcomes Santa and Mrs. Claus to Santa’s First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Delanie Steel punches a ticket for TJ Thompson at the Polar Express Experience during Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Felipe Valdez, left, and Murray Grube from Nothing Bundt Cakes participate in Santa’s First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Olivia Cormican, left, and Vivian Cormican pose for a picture during Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Jennifer Bass and daughter Rylie are excited to welcome Santa to his First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

From left, Ebby Lauer, Finley Zadrozny, Rowen Zadrozny and Quin Lauer pose for a picture in the Lego Room during Santa’s First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

From left, Sean Hart, Lainey Koliscak, Mia Bough, Madison Hauck and Kendal Waller take a selfie before welcoming Santa to his First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

From left, Jordy Farrow, Daizy Farrow, Camillo Farrow and August Monfredi pose for a picture during Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Shelley Lauer takes a picture of her daughters, Ebby, left, and Quin, during Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

Ryder Holloway mails her letter to Santa during Santa's First Stop on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Armstrong Great Lawn at Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle