Hundreds of parade-goers braved freezing temperatures Saturday evening to kick off the holiday season with street fair in Oakmont.

Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration offered an evening chock full of holiday entertainment, including an elf named Zippy.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Sven Drop, 14, of Plum as Zippy the Elf greets David Sims, 2, as mom Julie Sims looks on at Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration along Allegheny River Boulevard.  

Sven Drop, 14, likes to dress up as holiday favorites like the Easter Bunny and Santa’s reindeer. Drop volunteered Saturday to play Zippy, greeting folks along Allegheny River Boulevard, offering them happy holiday wishes, a wave and lots of smiles.

“I like to bring cheer to people, and I like seeing people smile,” said Drop, a freshman at Plum High School. “I love entertaining.”

The annual event offered food trucks, free trolley rides, visits with Santa, live entertainment and featured more than 40 vendors. It was sponsored this year by Springer State Farm Insurance Agency.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Noah Cooley, 5, of Plum enjoys popcorn Saturday before the start of the parade during Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration.  

Noah Cooley, 5, of Plum munched on kettle corn while he waited for the parade to begin.

“I like the firetrucks the best,” he said. “And the inflatables.”

Julie Sims of Wilkins Township brought her son, David, and said she attends every year.

“We just love all of the Christmas stuff, and he likes the fire trucks,” Sims said.

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