Few things rival the wide-eyed looks of youngsters in a Christmas setting. The setting could be on Christmas morning in the family living room. It could be at a school play or concert. It could be at a community display of lights, any number of holiday-related activities.
On Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., area youngsters will have the opportunity for a day of those moments when Holly Jolly Christmas in Latrobe featuring Santa’s Party in the Park will be held in downtown Latrobe.
Food trucks and vendors will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., children's activities will be available and local businesses will be open for holiday shopping.
97.3 LITE FM WCNS’s Santa's Party in the Park will be from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at James H. Rogers Memorial Park and will include a Santa meet and greet. In case of rain, Santa will move to city council chambers. The first 300 children at the party will receive a gift bag.
In addition to visiting with Santa, children can also listen to Mrs. Claus read a holiday story at Latrobe Art Center, make crafts with Adams Memorial Library staff and artists at Latrobe Art Center, have their faces painted, and ride a barrel train.
Visitors can enjoy live music and entertainment on Main Street, including performances by Ellie Oldfield, Christ the Divine Teacher School Carolers, Greater Latrobe Senior High School Brass Ensemble, Derry Area High School Marching Band, Laurel Valley Academy of Dance, Antolena Damico, and Stage Right.
Holiday shoppers will also have a chance to be rewarded for shopping with local merchants. Shoppers who visit local downtown merchants can submit a stamped punch card for a chance to win a gift basket of items from all of the nine participating merchants: Chicora’s Boutique; Eclectique; GrayDog Comics & Toys; Latrobe Farmer’s Market vendors (located in the former Dollar General Building on Ligonier Street); The Medicine Shoppe; Paper Heart Affairs; Rose Style Shoppe; Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats; and Depot Street Boutique.
An addition to this year’s festivities is a Gingerbread House competition. Creative bakers and builders can submit their gingerbread houses to Latrobe Art Center, where voting will take place on Wednesday, December 4 during Latrobe Shop Hop Night from 5-8 p.m.
After that, the houses will be dispersed among the following merchant locations in downtown: Latrobe Art Center, Paper Heart Affairs, Rose Style Shoppe, Eclectique, Chicoras, Gray Dog Comics, and Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats. The houses will be on display until Saturday, December 21. Contest winners will be announced on the day of Holly Jolly Christmas in Latrobe at 3 p.m. at Latrobe Art Center.
The Latrobe Area Historical Society will present a slideshow “Latrobe City of Firsts” and an historic Latrobe photo exhibition in the Quatrini-Rafferty building during the day.
This event is organized by 97.3 LITE FM WCNS; Adams Memorial Library; the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce; Latrobe Art Center; Latrobe Farmer’s Market; Eastern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center; and local merchants in partnership with the city of Latrobe.
For more information on all of the festivities, please call 724.537.7011 or visit www.HollyJollyLatrobe.com.