McKeesport’s Festival of Trees opens in Renzie Park

Angelina Christina, left, is a volunteer with the dog rescue program Paws Across Pittsburgh. On Thursday, she brought puppies Zeus and Demi to the Festival of Trees to be the mascots for the nonprofit’s tree submission. Octavia Walker, 9, is playing with Demi, who is currently up for adoption. Zeus cannot be adopted yet as he is still under veterinary care. Jeff Stitt / Mon Valley Independent

By Jeff Stitt
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The halls are decked at Renziehausen Park’s Jacob Woll Main Pavilion and the McKeesport Heritage and History Center for the city’s 33rd annual Festival of Trees.
There are 93 decorated Christmas trees between the two locations.
With the streets of Renzie Park illuminated by candle-lit luminaries on Thursday, Santa Claus rode in on the McKeesport Fire Department’s ladder truck to join the McKeesport branch of the Girl Scouts of America and Mayor Michael Cherepko in singing Christmas carols to kick off the festival.
Afterward, Cherepko and the young ladies lit the McKeesport Lions Club outdoor tree and headed inside with Santa to view the trees, which were decorated by different nonprofit, community and governmental organizations as well as local students, business owners and the elected officials from the city.
The festival will continue from noon to 9 p.m. through Monday. Admission is $2. Children 12 and younger are admitted free if they bring one canned good or non-perishable food item.

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