Shaler kicks off holiday season with Lite Up Night
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The weather cooperated with unseasonably warm temperatures. Families and community officials gathered together to celebrate the season. Children ran from event to event and the band Act 80’s played Christmas music during Shaler’s Lite Up Night on Nov. 20.
The annual event was held at the Shaler North Hills Library and the Shaler Area Middle School, with lights covering the entire area, a skating rink and fire pits for toasting marshmallows.
A parade with local emergency vehicles delivered characters like the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman – and Santa and Mrs. Claus, who stayed to help with the tree lighting, greet the children in attendance and take photos with them.
Vendors with food and wares were set up outside and in the cafeteria area of the middle school, while crafts were available to make in the library.
Cassie Roach and Rebecka O-Brien, owners of the company Buzz Worthy Pub Trivia had a booth set up and really enjoyed the event.
“It was great to participate in Lite Up Night and meet the community and other entrepreneurs in the area,” they said. “[The event was] the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.”
Mastic Trail Brewing, a Caribbean-themed brewery located on Saxonburg Boulevard, also had a vendor booth, manned by employee Gary Witkowski.
“The event was great, everyone seemed like they were enjoying themselves,” Witkowski said. “Community events post-shutdown have taken on a new feel. Everyone is grateful to get together and celebrate again, and you can feel it in every interaction. It’s wonderful to be a part of that.”
“It was a fantastic Lite Up Night,” said assistant township manager Judith Kording. “Thanks to the generosity of our business sponsors, we were able to add additional activities and have something for all ages.”
There were activities non-stop throughout the night. Raffles were held, cookie decorating was available for the kids, and magician Dan Kuniak performed, along with carols being sung by the SASD Choir.
“Thank you to all who attended and enjoyed the kickoff of the holiday season,” Kording said.