Brownsville Light-Up Night planned
The Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 29th annual Light-Up Night Friday, bringing Santa and Mrs. Claus to town for a weekend of holiday events for all ages.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be welcomed to town the day after Thanksgiving with the traditional procession of decorated emergency vehicles. Winding along a luminary-lighted route stretching eight miles through communities on both sides of the Monongahela River, the holiday procession begins at 6 p.m. at Hiller Volunteer Fire Department, 937 First St., and ends at 7:30 at Brownsville Fire Co. 1, 520 Market St., where the celebrated couple will listen to youngsters’ gift wishes and present each with a free Christmas treat from the chamber.
The official lighting of Brownsville’s Christmas tree in Snowdon Square will take place around 6:30 p.m. The holiday caravan will pause briefly for Mayor Lester Ward to light the tree, which is sponsored by the Brownsville Rotary Club.
Adding to the festivities is the traditional kick-off of candlelight tours by Brownsville Historical Society in the 22-room Nemacolin Castle, 136 Front St. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 years old and under, and includes wassail and cookies.
On Light-Up Night, Nemacolin Castle grounds will be bustling with activities from 5 to 9 p.m., including a visit from Frosty the Snowman. The following day, the historical society will offer “Cookies ‘n Milk with Santa” from noon to 2 p.m. and a German food-tasting event starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person for each event. Nemacolin Castle candlelight tours will be conducted every Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 9 p.m. in December, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
The festivities include volunteers of all ages who represent many organizations. Four fire departments, Brownsville Area High School’s Interact Club, Boy Scout Troop 650 and local churches join forces to create a 1,500-light luminary that’s visible for miles.
“The community spirit shown on Light-Up Night is a sight to behold. The chamber is grateful and privileged to have the support of so many volunteers year after year,” said Carl DellaPenna, chamber president and this year’s treat sponsor.
The holiday caravan – with Santa and Mrs. Claus as the grand marshals – will wind through Hiller, South Brownsville, West Brownsville, Blainsburg and return to the borough via the Lane Bane Bridge for a whirlwind trip around the Northside. The procession will end at BFCO 1’s fire hall, where children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, get a treat and pose for parents to snap a photograph or two.
For more information, call 724-785-4160.