Hundreds brave cold to be part of Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration

Joyce Hanz
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 7:05 p.m. | Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 7:05 p.m.

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Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

A decorated fire truck cruises down Allegheny River Boulevard on Saturday during Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Alice Li McCoy, 9, of Verona enjoys a free hot chocolate Saturday during Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration held along Allegheny River Boulevard.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Karen Clark of Creekside Kettle Corn in Buffalo Township scoops up freshly popped corn Saturday at Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Noah Cooley, 5, of Plum enjoys popcorn Saturday before the start of the parade during Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Hundreds of people stroll a Saturday along Allegheny River Boulevard during Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

The Krah family from Murrysville noshes on hot fries from Del Vecchio’s at Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration street fair Saturday along Allegheny River Boulevad in Oakmont. Clockwise from lower left, are Conor (green hat), Alex, mother Heather, and daughters Mykhaila and Charlotte (purple hat).

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Sven Drop, 14, of Plum as Zippy the Elf greets David Sims, 2, as mom Julie Sims looks on at Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration along Allegheny River Boulevard.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Siblings Lexie Penn, 4, and Bryce Penn, 2, of Monroeville play with light-up toys Saturday during Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Parade participants during Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration on Saturday in Oakmont.

Hundreds of parade-goers braved freezing temperatures Saturday evening to kick off the holiday season with street fair in Oakmont.

Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration offered an evening chock full of holiday entertainment, including an elf named Zippy.

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Sven Drop, 14, likes to dress up as holiday favorites like the Easter Bunny and Santa’s reindeer. Drop volunteered Saturday to play Zippy, greeting folks along Allegheny River Boulevard, offering them happy holiday wishes, a wave and lots of smiles.

“I like to bring cheer to people, and I like seeing people smile,” said Drop, a freshman at Plum High School. “I love entertaining.”

The annual event offered food trucks, free trolley rides, visits with Santa, live entertainment and featured more than 40 vendors. It was sponsored this year by Springer State Farm Insurance Agency.

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Noah Cooley, 5, of Plum munched on kettle corn while he waited for the parade to begin.

“I like the firetrucks the best,” he said. “And the inflatables.”

Julie Sims of Wilkins Township brought her son, David, and said she attends every year.

“We just love all of the Christmas stuff, and he likes the fire trucks,” Sims said.