Thinking Local
Small Business Saturday, holiday events planned throughout area
After the last piece of pumpkin pie is plated on Thanksgiving, thoughts turn to holiday celebrations and filling shopping lists.
One of the first events is Small Business Saturday, set aside on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to support and celebrate local businesses and everything they do for their community.
“Small Business Saturday is a vibrant reminder of the thriving small business ecosystem we have built, and it reflects the commitment of our community to support one another,” said Shana Brown, director of the Washington Business District Authority. “We look forward to seeing this tradition continue to flourish and strengthen our local economy.”
The city of Washington will kick off “Small Business Saturday: A Festive Celebration” with a breakfast crawl featuring 16 businesses. “Passports” will be available at those businesses to collect to be registered for a prize.
“QR codes will be at the business,” Brown said. “You don’t actually have to get a physical stamp during the crawl. If you don’t have a smartphone we’ll have a way to get you a physical stamp.”
Once the passports are collected, they can be turned in at the LeMoyne Research Center, 48 E. Maiden St. (not in the Main Street Pavilion, as in past years). Those who collect 10 or more will be entered to win the grand prize: a $300 gift certificate to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.
Other activities include a new feature this year – a trolley shuttle through town. There also will be dance performances from Allegro Dance Company and Empire Athletics.
Seven vendor pop-up markets will be located throughout the city Saturday, including The LeMoyne Research Center, The Bradford House, Nineteen North, Krave Hair Studio, the Table and Ignite Business Incubator.
“Small Business Saturday has truly flourished in our community, and it’s a testament to the support and dedication of our local businesses and residents,” Brown said. “Year after year, we witness an upsurge in participation and a palpable sense of community spirit. It’s not just a day of shopping; it’s a day of celebrating the heart and soul of our town.”
Saturday also is Downtown Washington Light-Up Night, from 4 to 7 p.m. on East Main Street.
Among the highlights of the evening will be a walk-through light display at the LeMoyne House Garden. The switch will be flipped by a member of the Washington Chamber of Commerce.
Other activities include food vendors, a pop-up escape room, petting zoo, pop-up bar featuring Liberty Pole Spirits at the LeMoyne House Apothecary Room and a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Students from John F. Kennedy Catholic Elementary School will perform excerpts from the Nutcracker at 4 p.m., and local pastor Stephen Thomas will be singing Christmas tunes.
“What we strive so hard to achieve is having the downtown full of people, going in and out of our businesses, promoting our local community and supporting these small businesses, which are the backbone of our downtown,” Brown said.
Also planned for Saturday is Canonsburg’s second annual Jingle Bar Hop, from 4 to 11 p.m.
Five local bars will be decked out in holiday decor. A $25 donation provides exclusive access to each bar, use of “The Polar Express” shuttle service and food and drink specials.
Those who visit each bar and have their “Holiday Passport” stamped, can enter to win a $500 cash prize and gift baskets the bars will be donating.
Participating bars are The Last Call Bar and Grill, Bar Association, Big Fella’s, Silver Mark Cellars and Rusty Gold Brewing.
In Donora, Twinkle Bright Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Sixth Street and McKean Avenue, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a carriage.
There will be a live nativity and a petting zoo. Fireworks are scheduled and there will be refreshments and vendors. Music will be provided by a disc jockey from Galiffa Productions, plus there will be a roaming photo booth. Thomas the Tank Engine also will be present. Activities will include face painting and a balloon artist.
“There will be treats for the children when they go see Santa,” said Janet Bulko, treasurer of the Donora Smog Commemorative Committee. “It’s a nice event for Donora.”
The following weekend, on Dec. 1, Washington’s Holiday Market and Christmas Parade are planned. The market begins at 3 p.m. with the parade set to start at 7. Activities include Santa and Mrs. Claus reading a story, train rides for the kids, a pop-up escape room and local entertainment.
Carole DeAngelo, director of advertising and events for The Observer-Reporter, and Clay Kilgore, director of the Washington County Historical Society, will serve as announcers for the parade. Santa will arrive in an antique vintage sleigh.
The same weekend, Canonsburg’s Old Fashioned Christmas will be held, from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 and noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 2.
The tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at the borough building, and the Christmas parade is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Photos will be available with Santa and the Grinch, while other activities include Santa’s Reindeer Games, and Christmas house and gingerbread house competitions.
Christmas markets will be offered at three locations (mid-town parking lot, borough building parking lot and Jefferson Avenue parking lot) with more than 60 vendors.
Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Merry & Bright Night” is set for 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1 after being postponed from its original date and the 37th annual Light-Up Night at Penn Highlands Mon Valley is scheduled at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 in the hospital’s outdoor Central Plaza.
In Greene County, the Greene County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Downtown Waynesburg Christmas Parade for the 85th year at 2 p.m. Dec. 2. It will begin at the corner of West High and Richhill streets, traveling east to Cumberland Street.
Nearly 100 entries are scheduled to appear, and Santa will be escorted into town at the end of the parade by the Waynesburg-Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company.
Miss Rain Day 2023 Abby Ray, the McCracken Legacy Award winner, Waynesburg Milling Co., and the Chamber’s Distinguished Service Award winners, Joe Ayersman, Doug Lee, Barbara Wise and Deborah Wilson, will be grand marshals.
Kiln to Table, 352 S. Richhill St, Waynesburg, will hold “Grinchmas” from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10.
There will be special Grinch drinks and snacks available for purchase. The price of $15 includes a treat bag and a photo with the Grinch.
Peters Township’s Holiday Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Peters Township Community Recreation Center, 700 Meredith Drive in Venetia.
Crafts, games, refreshments and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus are planned. Kids may bring a letter to Santa with a return address or create one that night.
California Holly Day is set for Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Pavilion on Third Street. There will be a chance to visit with Santa Claus. The first 100 children will receive a gift. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available and there will be activities for the kids.