IN Mars Area Winter 2018 | Page 28

Festive Fun Festival of Lights Date: Dec. 7 Address: 9000 Babcock Boulevard, McCandless Contact: cdpsisters.org Join La Roche College and the Sisters of Divine Providence in spreading holiday cheer! Listen to Advent hymns, Christmas carols and performances in the Sisters’ Chapel; greet Santa Claus and enjoy entertainment at La Roche. Grab a bite to eat in the College Center cafeteria. Enjoy the fireworks as a grand finale. Visit the website for more information. Fun Fore All Holiday Lights Mini- Golf Festival It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our annual Holiday and Winter Events Guide offers a host of activities to spread some holiday cheer. From festive lighting ceremonies and concerts, to Christmas parades and Santa sightings, there’s no shortage of things to do and see this season! BY KATHY RUDOLPH 26 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com Dates: Nov. 16–Jan. 1 Address: 8 Progress Avenue, Cranberry Township Contact: funforeall.com, or 724.779.1800 Take 36 holes of award-winning miniature golf and combine it with a holiday lights extravaganza like no other, and what do you get? Fun Fore All’s Holiday Lights Mini-Golf! Visit the website for more information. Hampton Township’s Holiday Season’s Greeting Celebration with Fireworks Date: Dec. 6 Time: 7 p.m. Address: 3101 McCully Road, Allison Park Contact: hampton-pa.org, or 412.487.7870 Come celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with your neighbors! Welcome the holidays with a low-level fireworks display followed by Santa and Rudolph arriving via fire truck at 7:30 p.m. Children can visit Santa in the Community Center’s Gathering Area for a photo opportunity. Live seasonal music and complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be available for all. Visit the website for more information. thousands of brilliant LED lights dancing in synchronization. The journey ends at kid-friendly Santa’s Village. Visit the website for more information on fees and other details. Light the Night Shaler Township Holiday ‘Lite’ Up Night Date: Nov. 23 Time: 6:30 p.m. Address: Etna Borough Contact: Facebook.com/EtnaBorough, etnaborough.org/events, or 412.781.0569 Etna Borough’s annual Light the Night Festivities begin with a hometown parade escorting Santa down Butler Street. The evening features a host of family fun, including trolley rides, children’s games and activities and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus! The finale at the ballfield includes a fireworks display. Ohio Township Tree Lighting Celebration at the Park Date: Dec. 4 Time: 6:30 p.m. Address: Ohio Township Community Park, 325 Nicholson Road, Ohio Township Contact: ohiotwp.org Celebrate the season at the park! All are invited. The wide variety of holiday-themed activities are listed on the website. Pine Township Holiday Dazzle Date: Nov. 17 Address: Pine Community Center, 100 Pine Park Drive, Wexford Contact: twp.pine.pa.us, or 724.625.1636 Start off the spectacular sparkle season at Pine’s Holiday Dazzle! Don’t miss the carriage rides, crafts, food booths, holiday fireworks display and more! Visit the website for more information. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Dates: Nov. 16–Jan. 6 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. Tune in your radio and watch the magic unfold while driving through hundreds of Date: Nov. 17 Address: Shaler Area Middle School and Shaler North Hills Library, Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw Contact: shaler.org, or 412.486.9700 “Lite” Up Night is an annual pre-holiday celebration held each year the weekend prior to Thanksgiving Day. 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 middle school cafeteria and the library. Cookies and beverages are also served. Visit the website for more information. Snowflake Festival at Soergel Orchards Date: December (Check the website for the exact date and time.) Address: Soergel Orchards, 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford Contact: soergels.com, or 724.935.1743 Celebrate the winter season with Soergel’s popular Snowflake Festival! Enjoy kids’ games and activities, a visit from Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, hot drinks and food, Arsenal Cider-Wexford, holiday shopping, and more! Visit the website for more information. Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum Holiday Train Display Dates: Nov. 10–Jan. 13 Address: 5507 Lakeside Drive at Route 910, Gibsonia Contact: wpmrm.org, or 724.444.6944 The WPMRM’s Mon- Valley System is the feature attraction of its popular “A Railroad Journey in Miniature” holiday train shows. The layout replicates the actual route between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Maryland. Visit the website for holiday show hours and other details. More Ho Ho Ho An Afternoon with Santa Claus Date: Dec. 9 Address: Hartwood Acres Park Mansion, 200 Hartwood Acres, Hampton Township Contact: alleghenycounty.us, or 412.767.9200 (Registration is required for this event.) Enjoy cookies and milk, a fun craft, carols, and a visit with Santa! Photos with Santa are permitted, but bring your own camera. Visit the website for more information. Breakfast with Santa Date: Dec. 15 Address: Spring Street Cafe on Main, 205 South Main Street, Zelienople Contact: springstreet.cafe, or 724.544.0136 (Registration is required for this event.) Join Spring Street Cafe elves and have breakfast with Santa! Enjoy delicious pancakes, hot cocoa, pictures with Santa and a special gift. Visit the website for more information. Brunch with Santa Date: Dec. 15 Address: Cranberry Highlands Golf Course, 5601 Freshcorn Road, Cranberry Township Contact: twp.cranberry.pa.us, or 724.779.4FUN (4386), ext. 1129 (Registration is required for this event.) Capture a special moment while enjoying a delicious brunch with Santa and more! Enjoy scrambled eggs, sausage, carved ham, home fries, toast, donuts, juice, coffee and tea. For more details on fees and to register for this event, visit the website. Lunch with Santa Claus Date: Dec. 15 Address: Blueberry Hill Park Activity Center, Blaine’s Way, Sewickley Contact: franklinparkborough.us, or 412.364.4115, ext. 347 (Register by Dec. 6.) Come and have lunch, make a cute holiday craft and sit on Santa’s lap. Continued on next page > MARS AREA ❘ WINTER 2018 27