Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas Parade gets Alle-Kiski Valley pumped for holidays
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To his shivering musicians warming up their vocal chords, Matthew Beresik offered these motivational words:
“Sing like Santa’s watching you.”
The Highlands High School Golden Rams Marching Band director then led them as they ushered in the annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas Parade on Saturday by playing and singing familiar Yuletide tunes.
The weather held for the community event, bringing partly cloudy skies and temperatures warm enough to ward off too-heavy coats, but brisk enough to set a festive mood. The temperature sat around 40 degrees.
Ed Prohaska, 54, of Harwick was almost disappointed by the fair weather.
“I like snow,” the ex-Marine. In rain, sleet or snow — he’s served with a few others as an adjutant of the Marine Corps League Detachment 827 color guard out of Springdale for 12 years now. “But it’s nice when there’s no yuckiness.”
Paraders from all sorts of organizations and groups walked from the Tarentum Bridge, up Fifth Avenue to Corbet Street, then up First Avenue to Morgan Street in Brackenridge.
One of those groups was the newly formed Allegheny Valley Youth Hockey Club with 11 of its athletes.
“This is our first year,” said Eric White, the club’s head coach. White, of Tarentum, said his team formed in March and offers free play for kids aged four to 17.
“We were invited – so we came,” he said, laughing. “But really it’s for the kids. They love playing.”
Children lined the streets waiting to see their favorite Christmas characters like the Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, elves and Santa Claus, himself.
But for the Proper sisters, Molly, 9, and Katie, 6, the festive characters were an added bonus. They were there to see their cousins and friends, who had roles as dancers and cheerleaders.
The sisters were in Christmas mode, already talking about their wish lists for Santa.
“Yeah, they’re getting ready,” said their father, Kyle Proper, of Lower Burrell. “They keep adding to their lists, and I keep taking stuff off them.”
That’s why Katie hid hers, she said, prompting more laughter from her family.
Children also came prepared with bags for another round of candy-collecting. Parade participants tossed the goodies as they rolled by on decorated floats, which were later judged by Deb Kennihan, Cathy Blythe and Lynn Jacques.
But no float riled crowds more than Santa’s lighted sleigh, pulled by an Arnold Volunteer Fire Company 2 truck. Mr. Claus’ voice was amplified by a speaker as he greeted all with his jocular laugh: “Ho, ho, ho!”
“You be good and I’ll be back,” he added, winking at some.
Santa capped the parade that ended a little after 2 p.m., when officials removed blockades throughout Tarentum and Brackenridge.
Some participants and observers then headed to the Brackenridge American Legion for after-parade activities. There was a toy giveaway, prizes for the best-decorated float, face painting, crafts, balloon twisting and another appearance by Saint Nick.