Cranberry kicks off holiday
CRANBERRY TWP — Families and community members came together Friday night to open the holiday season with a special visit from Santa Claus.
Hundreds gathered for Santa's First Stop at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, where children and adults sang Christmas carols along with the Dutilh United Methodist Church choir. They sang “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells” and, of course, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Santa entered with style, riding on the back of a fire truck decorated with Christmas lights. He made his way up to the main stage and was given the honor of flipping the switch to light up the municipal center's grounds and the community Christmas tree.
Stacey Newton of Cranberry said the event was wonderful and festive.
Newton said her daughters, Madisen, 9, and Meranda, 7, were extremely excited to see Santa. Her family attends the celebration every year, she said.
“I am really glad that Cranberry does this. It is a nice way to be able to get together with friends,” Newton said.
Before Santa's arrival, children had a chance to do activities from face painting and decorating ornaments to writing letters to Santa — there was even a box to mail them. Children also had a chance to visit with Mrs. Claus.
Two reindeer were able to make it to the celebration for visitors to see. They were provided by Living Treasures Animal Park. After the lighting ceremony, Santa took time to visit to his four-legged pals.
Children also gathered around to see the train display that was built by Steel City Lego Users Group in the council chambers.
Visitors gazed at the Cranberry Holiday Tree Gallery in the lobby. The display features trees decorated in different themes to showcase 20 different nonprofit organizations.
Valerie Murphy, recreation program coordinator, said she the night was a success with a great turnout and good weather.Murphy said it takes more than just one township department to put on the event and everyone works together to make it a success.“Santa came and the lights are on,” she said.Tom Marcin of Cranberry said it is a nice event and it's good to see the community come together.His wife, Alison, said it was nice to have so many people again this year, and she noted that it gets bigger every year.Their family has been coming to Santa's First Stop for five years, Alison Marcin said.Her daughter, Dahlia, 5, was excited all week for the event and this was her 3-month-old daughter Ivy's first time at the event.“We hope they keep it up every year,” she said.Township Supervisor Mike Manipole said it was a great night.Manipole said the event brings people together who have not seen each other in awhile.“We kind of look at it as the Cranberry Township employee family and then all of the families we try to serve all meeting together in one great event,” he said.
