Light Up Night kicks off holiday season in Sewickley

Thousands of people filled Sewickley Village for the borough’s annual Light up Night.

Guests walked the streets looking at lights, eating food and listening to live music. According to borough council woman and Light Up Night planner Julie Barnes, the event is a 40-year tradition. Barnes has chaired the event for the past three years with nine other people on the planning committee. She said that planning usually begins six months before the event.

“It’s a huge party that we throw so that we can come together as a community to celebrate our town and enjoy each other’s company,” Barnes said.

Local food trucks and shops stayed open late for people to visit.

“We like to invite back many of the same vendors year after year to maintain tradition,” Barnes said.

Eric Kraemer, co-owner of Big Spring Spirits, hosted his second “spiked hot chocolate and eggnog” stand outside of his tasting room on Beaver Street.

“This is fantastic,” Kraemer said. “It’s great for us because we get everyone to try our spirits. Normally I stand on the other side of the table and talk to people. We get so many repeat customers as a result of coming here tonight.”

Throughout the square, local students were performing, ice sculptors were hosting demonstrations and people were taking horse and carriage rides. Main stage performances included guitarist Elias Khouri and The Nation’s #1 Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute Band.

Sewickley residents Dustin Bunta and Mackenzie Fagan have walked to the event with their dog, Abby, each year since they moved to the area in 2019.

“We just really like to walk around and take in the sights and sounds,” Bunta said.

They said that each year they check what food trucks will be at the event and love to see more people visiting their town.

“It’s great to have something going on,” Fagan said.

John Arnold of Moon lived in Sewickley about 14 years ago. He and his family come to the borough’s Light up Night each year to enjoy food and drinks with friends.

“Downtown (Sewickley) has gone through a massive resurgence in the past decade,” Arnold said.

He said that he and his family have taken to visiting the town on weekends and for other community events.

“I like just hanging out with my friends and having a beer,” Arnold said.

Barnes said that the administrative staff at the Borough of Sewickley, public works employees, Sewickley Police and volunteers from Cochran Hose Fire Company all collaborate to make Light up Night happen.

“Sewickley Light Up Night is a community-building event,” Barnes said. “It’s important because it draws us together to visit, know each other better, and make memories, enjoying the lighthearted charm of Sewickley. It’s a tradition.”