Santa top draw in Bethel Park
Santa Claus was the main attraction at the annual Bethel Park Tree Lighting ceremony. Even the Grinch agreed.
“Santa is the classic,” said the beloved Dr. Seuss character through the handler that interpreted his mimed answers.
Augie Marraccini concurred. The 6-year-old Bethel Park resident said the Grinch is one of his “favorite characters” next to Santa. “He’s No. 2,” Augie said. “I’m really excited to see (Santa).”
Augie was eager to have a conversation with Santa. He wanted to relay his wish list in person.
“I want a reindeer and a pig. We can’t have a real pig,” he added. “Fingerlings, Bakugan. Those robot things,” he explained, “Tech Decks. They’re like skateboards.”
“Augie thinks he’ll get them all because he has been good,” explained his mother, Angie.
“I have been good,” Augie insisted. “Yes, it’s been hard.”
For children like Augie, it was a challenge awaiting Santa’s arrival. Families lined up to enter the community center well before the doors opened at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4.
However, the recreation department, thanks to Jason Mentel and helpers Lindsay Sibert and Samantha Lee, were prepared. They reorganized the event to incorporate the entire facility and to keep guests entertained until the moment Santa arrived to light the Christmas tree.
New this year were reindeer games where children could participate in activities in the gymnasium as well as a Lego village display constructed by Steel City LUG.
“The display was really cool,” said Anna Mack. She was attending her first tree-lighting event. “I’m very excited and looking forward to seeing Santa.”
Mary Lynn Mack, echoed her daughter’s sentiments. “This is a really awesome community event,” she said.
In addition to the Grinch, Buddy the Elf engaged kids in a snowball fight. There also was a gingerbread house display, a seasonal scavenger hunt and a sensory station. Plus, the traditional Letters To Santa had its own space, complete with tables and chairs.
Ann and Rick Torris sat in the designated room and helped their children compose their gift lists. “Honestly, I love it,” Ann Torris said of the new set-up. “It’s so much nicer because everything isn’t so crammed into one room. You can walk around and do everything. The kids actually get to enjoy what they are doing instead of feeling so rushed.”
Families and friends leisurely sipped on hot chocolate with plenty of whipped cream and marshmallows and munched on Bethel Bakery cookies while being entertained by the Bethel Park High School jazz ensemble. They also took pictures at a selfie station and made food for Santa’s reindeer while the Top 21 Chorus performed.
Beatrice Nonn attended with her son, Asher. Because she loved the event so much last year, she encouraged Kennedy Wineland to also bring her 3-year-old daughter, Bailey, to the celebration.
“I like the changes,” she said. “The activities for the kids are spaced out and keep them entertained,” she said.
“It’s all very cool,” added Wineland. “We are ready to see Santa though.”
Joshua and Molly Penderville were more than ready to visit with St. Nick because their toddler, Alice, was getting sleepy. Alice hoped to tell Santa that she wanted “books” for Christmas.
“She’s at a very fun age,” Joshua said. “We’re trying to stay up to see Santa but it’s getting close to bedtime.”
Despite having knee replacement surgery less than two weeks ago, Mayor Jack Allen planned to make it through another community Christmas activity. Allen has been attending light-up night since he was on council 25 years ago.
“I wouldn’t miss this,” he said, adding that the event is his second favorite next to the luncheon he hosts for the municipality’s 90-year-old-plus crowd. “It’s a tradition. Bethel Park’s a great place to be for a light-up night because it brings the community together. I love it. Everything that was added has made this year’s event extraordinary.”
Council President John Oakes and Vice President Joe Consolmagno concurred.
“Since we moved it inside a number of years ago because nobody wanted to stand outside in the cold for so long, it’s been a great event and well-attended by the community,” Oakes said. “The new recreation people have done a fantastic job trying to add more events and change things up a bit.”
“It really brings Christmas to the season,” said Consolmagno. “The feeling is an old-fashioned Christmas and the event keeps getting bigger and better.”