By JEFF STITT
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Mayor Michael Cherepko confirmed McKeesport will have a Festival of Trees celebration this year.
He said officials plans for the Christmastime event are still being developed, but that Festival of Trees is slated to occur.
“I kind of mentioned it last month and I just want to say it officially. We are going to hold some sort of version of Festival of Trees,” Cherepko said.
The mayor said the plan to hold the festival is subject to change dependent on what state, county and CDC restrictions and guidelines look like in December.
City residents began inquiring if the festival would be canceled after the mayor announced at last month’s meeting the Salute to Santa Parade, which would have been in its 56th year, was canceled as a result of concerns about being able to enforce social distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures during the parade.
“It’s irresponsible on our part to bring people into close proximity, into crowds lined up on the streets where we really have no control on what they do,” Cherepko said last month of the parade. “The only control we have is to not allow that type of situation to happen.”
The Festival of Trees is typically held in and around the Jacob Woll Main Pavilion and the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center in Renziehausen Park and gives attendees the chance to see dozens of Christmas trees elaborately and creatively decorated by area residents, students, teachers, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, business owners, workers and more. Festival goers also typically get the chance to take a tractor-pulled hayride, walk along roads and sidewalks lit by luminaries, view large holiday-themed light sculptures and displays, listen to Christmas music, visit with or send a letter to Santa and more.
Guests also typically have a chance to purchase baked goods at the Semper Fidelis Club bake sale and hot foods prepared by McKeesport Area School District culinary students.
Cherepko said the festival, which is in its 35th year, will look and operate differently this year as a result of pandemic restrictions.
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