Peters Township opens holiday season
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Santa Claus greets Teagan McCarthy, left, and Kaya McCarthy at Peters Township Public Library.
Mary Nolte of Peters Township and granddaughter Mackenzie Portz enjoy the festivities.
Jamie, left, and Makayla Ferris light up the room.
Students from McMurray Elementary School perform at the event.
From left are Stephani Hobbs, Hudson Hobbs, Avery Hobbs, Laney Mountain, Jordan Mountain, Cathie Shenefelt and Dennis Mountain.
Having their turn with Santa Claus are, from left, Katie, Ryan and Lauren Hillebrand.
The tradition of Peters Township’s annual tree lighting and holiday party is to choose a youngster from among the crowd to do the honors of flicking the switch to illuminate the proceedings.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Kaitlyn Carnes flicks the switch to light up the tree.
Bedecked in a tall, conical red-and-green elf’s hat, 9-year-old township resident Kaitlyn Carnes fulfilled her duty, to a hearty round of applause from what probably was a record crowd for this year’s event at Peters Township Public Library.
The Dec. 3 festivities on a not-so-chilly night featured a performance of several season favorites by the McMurray Elementary School choir, led by music teacher Ray Cygrymus, who said the group represented an exceptionally large turnout of students for the occasion.
As the songs wrapped up and the lights came on, a fire truck with a special passenger arrived. Santa Claus then made his way inside the library to visit with enthusiastic children to hear what they want for Christmas.
The township parks and recreation department joined the library in organizing the event, with staff members serving snacks and refreshments to those in attendance. The department’s next holiday event is a candy cane hunt for children ages 3 to 5, scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the community recreation center.