St. Nick makes 'First Stop' in Cranberry Township
CRANBERRY TWP — Hundreds of children and parents got in the holiday spirit Friday night by welcoming Santa Claus, who came for a visit riding a red fire truck.
Santa undoubtedly heard the screams and cheers of the children over the honking of horns and the sirens from the fire truck. He waved and gave a smile before helping light Cranberry Township's holiday tree in front of the municipal center on Rochester Road.
Called Santa's First Stop, the evening featured more than just an appearance from Old Saint Nick.
Children were given the chance to feed Santa's reindeer, to make holiday-themed arts and crafts and to get their pictures taken with some of Santa's elves.
Other events included a performance from the Dutilh Choir as well as a gigantic train display made out of Legos.
Visitors inside the municipal center were treated to a display of dozens of decorated Christmas trees with each one featuring different decorations from community groups. Those trees will remain until after Christmas.
Music filled the municipal center as Lyn Marsh and her choir of 15 members sang more than a dozen Christmas songs. The group took their act outside just before Santa arrived and led the assembled group in a singalong to welcome Mr. Claus.
Laurie Hmel of Cranberry Township waited patiently with her two daughters to say hello to Mrs. Claus, who in turn was waiting for her husband to arrive.
Hmel's daughter Teegan, 6, stood nearby and waited for her chance to see Santa.
“This is so wonderful,” Laurie Hmel said as hundreds of children and their families scampered around the municipal center. “We try to take advantage of everything offered here in Cranberry as much as possible.”Eric McClymonds of Cranberry stood nearby with her son Lachlan, 9, waiting for Santa.She said she didn't want to miss this “great community event” while Lachlan said he's most looking forward to getting presents at Christmas, although eating cookies came in at a close second on his to-do list for the holidays.Sue Kuntz came with her four young children to bask in the holiday spirit.She and her family walked slowly around the gigantic Lego train display in the space that's usually reserved for council meetings and other official events.“It's great to have something that's so fun for the kids,” she said with a smile.Scott Townsend of Seven Fields waited outside with his wife and two children for Santa to arrive, which he soon did.This is the second time their family has come to welcome Mr. Claus to Cranberry, and it won't be the last.“We thought this was tomorrow (Saturday night),” he said. “But the kids knew. They wouldn't miss this.”Township Manager Jerry Andree said Friday that it's a complicated process bringing Santa to Cranberry, given his busy schedule this time of year.“His schedule is extremely busy but fortunately Cranberry is on the top of his list,” he said. “He pencils us in every year, and we're fortunate he honors that commitment.”Andree added he loves welcoming Santa every year, saying it's a great chance “for the community to come together and celebrate the beginning of the holidays.”
