CRANBERRY TWP — The Cranberry municipal building will be the site of an event Saturday encouraging locals to shop local.

The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber will host its 2021 Holiday Village Market at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Road, from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring holiday vendors, live music, and food and drink, all designed to remind Pittsburgh-area residents to shop small.

Additionally, the chamber will host a gingerbread house competition, where attendees can vote on their favorites from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Submissions must be physically present by 4:30 p.m. and will be displayed in the Sample School House.

It's an event designed for both children and adults. For the younger family members, children can drop off letters to Santa at the red Polar Express Letters to Santa mailbox. Dedicated elves will collect the letters and ensure they're rapidly transported to Santa.

Adults can also enjoy festive cocktails, including spiked hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, at the Holiday Libation Station at the front of the market.

Consumerism is just one aspect of the Holiday Village Market.

The event also will feature a Giving Tree, which provides local nonprofits the chance to help Christmas wishes come true. Thirteen nonprofits are participating in the Giving Tree, according to the chamber.

In sum, however, the event's principal organizer hopes it will encourage and remind local residents to shop at locally owned stores this holiday season.