Christmas parade gets Zelie residents in a holiday mood
ZELIENOPLE — The annual Zelienople Christmas parade Saturday helped some people get in the holiday mood.
“You get the music playing, and see a lot of Christmas decorations,” said Dan DeDionisio of Harmony.
The parade, which started on High Street, continued on Main Street and ended at the intersection with Grandview Avenue, was led by a Zelienople police car and the Seneca Valley Marching Band, with bows and gift boxes adorning instruments and some members wearing Santa hats.
It continued with several floats from different groups, the Zelienople Volunteer Fire Department, an ambulance from Harmony EMS and appearances by Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.
The parade finished with the appearance of Santa Claus, riding on a sleigh, surrounded by gifts, pulled by two “reindeer.”
After the parade, Santa took shelter in his house in Four Corners Park, where children and families could visit.
DeDionisio was with his wife, Sue. Their son was in the parade as a member of the Seneca Valley band. This was their third year going to the parade.
“It's a nice community activity,” Sue DeDionisio said.
Joyce Stauffer of Hopewell Township was at the parade for the first time in about 25 years. She used to live in Zelienople and would attend with her family. They even would go sometimes after they moved away.On Saturday, she was with her grandchildren, Aiden Carter, 8, and Emma Carter, 6.“We used to come here with their mom. I'm trying to carry on the tradition,” Stauffer said.She said coming back gave her a nostalgic feeling.Bob Love of Cranberry Township was at the parade with his family for the fourth year in a row.“It's fun. It gets you in the spirit. It's a nice community activity,” Love said.His son, 13-year-old Jeremy, likes the parade, saying it has a small-town feel.“It's different,” he said.Tom and Judy Smith of Butler came for the first time because their granddaughter was participating in a dance group.Judy Smith said parades like this are great ways to get into the holiday spirit, and she said she always likes getting to visit Zelienople.“It's always a nice town,” she said.
