The crisp air Friday evening was perfect for an estimated several thousand spectators, the largest crowd in recent memory, for the Light-Up Vandergrift Christmas Parade and Party.

People stood three- and four-deep along Grant Street for the historic town's annual holiday parade with their light wands, baby strollers and foam reindeer antler hats.

The smell of freshly popped kettle corn filled the air as a non-stop stream of fire engines and other emergency trucks were aglow in holiday lights.

Even the Kiski Area marching band was a tangle of color as members wove strands of Christmas lights around their top hats and instruments.

Best demonstration of holiday spirit — Vandergrift style — went to the organizers of Festa Italiana di Vandergrift, the annual summer ethnic festival, which themed their float “Christmas in Venice.”

Serenading the crowd with Italian Christmas carols, the float featured a car retrofitted to look like a gondola.

Vendors lined the sidewalks selling light-up wands and food.

Buffalo Bill beef jerky, cinnamon almonds and chocolate-peanut fudge were the hottest-selling items for Jesse's Specialty Snacks & Gifts of Vandergrift, according to proprietor Jesse Lege.

The parade had an old-style feel with mainstays such as the Girl Scouts and the Shriners. Santa Claus brought up the rear as he made his way to the Casino Theatre to meet local children and pose for photos.

“I come every year and it's a tradition to bring my family,” said Craig Myers, 34, of Kiski Township, who watched the parade with his wife, two children and extended family members.

Some new traditions were born, as well as, Leta Eckert, 38, of Vandergrift brought Sullivan, a Saint Bernard, who made friends easily. “He loves it. He wants to sniff all of the people,” Eckert said.

Julie Martin, chairwoman of the Vandergrift Improvement Program, the sponsor of the event, was thrille d with the turn-out. “We love bringing people to town,” she said. “It's an opportunity to kick off the holiday season.”

Mary Ann Thomas is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.

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