Annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Holiday Parade brings festive fun, sense of community

Kathy Linderman started designing a Charlie Brown-themed Christmas float for the annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Holiday Parade in October.

The float — which she rode with her kids, Gabrielle, 11, and Benjamin, 13 — included Snoopy’s dog house, cut-out decorations of beloved Peanuts characters, and a small Charlie Brown Christmas tree made from a limb found in a neighbor’s yard.

“We do something elaborate every year,” Linderman said at the parade Saturday, which marked her sixth year participating. “We just like to do what we think people would enjoy seeing.”

Linderman’s float represented Tarentum-based nonprofit Faith Community Partners, one of several local businesses that decked out festive floats for the parade.

“We love joining the parade,” she said. “We love doing this for the community, being a part of it. It’s promoting community spirit.”

The parade featured a variety of participants, including Highlands High School’s marching band, the Pittsburgh Penguin, the Pittsburgh Pirates racing pierogi Potato Pete, the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and numerous fire trucks from the local fire companies.

The parade typically spans over a mile long, said Carrie Fox, president of Tarentum’s recreation board. The parade, which begins near the Tarentum Bridge ends in on McIntire Way in Brackenridge, has been an annual staple for about two decades, she said.

“When I see this parade, I just get chills,” she said. “People love it. They can’t say enough about it. It was worth all the planning.”

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser said the parade celebrates not only the holidays, but also the communities that come together in Tarentum and Brackenridge.

“I think our community really values tradition, and this is a really important tradition for our community,” she said.

Lauren Swigart, who joined family on a float sponsored by Weleski Transfer, said the parade kicks off the Christmas season for her family.

“It makes everybody happy,” she said.

Her daughter, Kendall Swigart, 9, said she was eager to ride the float and throw candy for spectators — and eat some , too.

“I think it’s just really fun seeing all the floats,” she said.

Madison Vargo, of Natrona Heights, said she looked forward to seeing everyone come together for a fun, festive event. She planned on passing out candy with her dog, Cooper.

“We do it every year,” she said. “It’s a great community. Everybody comes together, all the businesses, the high school kids. It’s a big turnout this year.”