Nov 22, 2014 3 min read

Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce will kick off the holiday season Friday with a community-wide luminary, caroling and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at the historic Nemacolin Castle.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be grand marshals for Light-Up Night’s traditional procession of more than 40 holiday-decorated emergency vehicles. They are slated to arrive at 7:30 p.m. on the castle grounds, 136 Front St. Free treats for youngsters will be distributed.

Local businesses and organizations have donated nearly 3,000 plastic jugs for the luminary. The chamber provides the long-burning candles, and Brownsville Bus Lines prepares the jugs.

The eight-mile procession will begin at 6 p.m. at Hiller Volunteer Fire Company, 937 First St. It will wind through Hiller’s streets, then move to Brashear Avenue, Green, Pearl, Broad and High streets in upper South Brownsville; Bank, Washington and Second streets in mid- and South Brownsville; across the Inter-County Bridge to Main, Nelson, Middle and Bridge streets in West Brownsville; Pittsburgh Street, Madison Avenue, Third Street and Jefferson Avenue in Blainesburg; and then return to Brownsville via the Lane Bane Bridge to travel along North Market Street, Union Street, National Pike, Front Street to drop off Santa and Mrs. Claus at the castle gate.

One-way traffic restrictions will be in place on Front and Brashear streets to accommodate participating emergency vehicles. Front Street will be limited to inbound traffic to the castle; Brashear Street will be restricted to outbound traffic heading to Route 40.

In keeping with tradition, Light-Up Night marks the first night of candlelight tours at Nemacolin Castle. On opening night, Brownsville Historical Society will open the castle at 4 p.m. for tours, a fundraiser that’s been held for 51 consecutive years. Guests will be treated to wassail and cookies as part of the tour, which will feature the handiwork of local businesses and residents who decorate 14 rooms and the main hallway of the 22-room castle for the holiday season.

Free activities on Light-Up Night include a holiday concert from 6 to 7 p.m. by the Bentworth Ministerium Community Choir; Christmas music from 7 p.m. until Santa’s arrival by the Brownsville Area High School marching band; Colonial and Civil War encampments; and master storyteller Natalie Zuchelkowski, who will spin a Christmas tale for children and help them make reindeer food. The historical society will sell food and hot beverages, and several arts and crafts vendors will be selling their wares.

The historical society’s candlelight tours will run through Dec. 28. Tours will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The castle will be closed Dec. 25 and 26. Candlelight tours are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 years old and younger.