IN Shaler Winter 2017 | Page 19

OHIO TOWNSHIP TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION Date: Dec. 5 Time: 6:30 p.m. Address: Ohio Township Community Park, 325 Nicholson Road, Ohio Township Contact: ohiotwp.org ETNA LIGHT THE NIGHT Date: Nov. 24 Time: 5:30 p.m. Address: Butler Street, Etna Contact: etnaborough.org Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with a hometown parade, and the evening features a host of family fun, including trolley rides, live reindeer, children’s games, photo booth, cookies at the church, Christmas card collection for soldiers, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus! Performances by Pine Creek Community Band, carolers and a dramatic holiday reading. The finale includes the Firemen’s Open House and a magical Zambelli fireworks display! Shops offer special treats and sales, and the borough’s holiday lights are lit. Visit the website for more information. LA ROCHE COLLEGE/UPMC PASSAVANT ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Date: Dec. 1 Address: Campuses of La Roche College and the Sisters of Divine Providence, 9000 Babcock Boulevard, Allison Park Contact: laroche.edu, or 412.536.1069 Make some merry by attending the Festival of Lights! Crafts, food, family and children’s activities, fireworks and more! Visit the website for more information. MARS CHRISTMAS PARADE AND LIGHT-UP NIGHT Date: TBA. Check the website for the exact date and time. Address: Main Street, Downtown Mars Contact: marsborough.com, or 724.625.1858 Gather by the town flying saucer and enjoy a parade featuring Santa on a fire truck and holiday tree lighting. Enjoy the warm fire and holiday carols on the back patio of the Nature Center until 7 p.m. when the tree lights will be lit. One lucky child in attendance will be randomly selected to light up the night! Santa Claus, our special guest of the night, will arrive shortly after. Everyone is invited inside the Nature Center after Santa’s arrival to visit with him and for light refreshments and more carols. The first 50 kids to visit Santa Claus will receive a custom-made ornament commemorating the night! PINE COMMUNITY CENTER HOLIDAY DAZZLE Date: Nov. 18 Time: 4 to 7 p.m. Address: Pine Community Center, 100 Pine Park Drive, Wexford Contact: twp.pine. pa.us/communitycenter/events, or 724.625.1636 Don’t miss the spectacular holiday celebration at Pine Community Center! The dazzling evening, perfect for families, includes carriage rides, crafts, food booths, holiday fireworks display and more! Visit the website for information on purchasing tickets and other details. SHADRACK’S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND Dates: Mid-November through early January. Check the website for the exact dates of operation. Address: Big Butler County Fairgrounds, 1127 New Castle Road, Prospect Contact: shadrackchristmas.com/ pittsburgh-pa, or 866.856.8444 This award-winning Christmas light and music extravaganza is unlike any show you’ve seen. Guests simply tune in their radio, and watch the magic unfold as they drive through hundreds of thousands of brilliant LED lights dancing in perfect synchronization with the music filling their vehicle. Journey ends at kid-friendly Santa’s Village. Visit the website for information on fees and other details. SHALER ‘LITE’ UP NIGHT Date: Nov. 18 Time: 7 p.m. Address: 1822 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw Contact: shaler.org, or 412.486.9700 The celebration includes a tree lighting outside the Shaler Area Middle School and Shaler North Hills Library. Children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a cast of characters including Frosty, Rudolph, the Grinch and Max the dog. There are craft and activity tables set up in the Shaler Area Middle School cafeteria and Shaler North Hills Library. Balloon artists and holiday wash-off tattoos available at the school only. Cookies and beverages are also served. The event is free and open to everyone, thanks to the Shaler Neighborhood Improvement Committee and its generous sponsors. AFTERNOON WITH SANTA Date: Nov. 26 (You must pre-register for this event.) Time: 2 to 4 p.m. Address: 200 Hartwood Acres, Hampton Township Contact: alleghenycounty.us, or 412.767.9200 Enjoy cookies and milk, a fun craft, carols, and to sit on Santa’s lap and whisper your Christmas wishes into his ear! Photos with Santa permitted, but be sure to bring your own camera! Continued on next page > Shaler | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 17