Fox Chapel sparkles during annual Light Up event

Santa ditched the flying reindeer and sleigh for a cool, vintage VW bug emblazoned with a Fox Chapel Police logo to mark his arrival at Fox Chapel’s third annual Light Up event held Dec. 3 at the borough building.

Fox Chapel Mayor Alex Scott III kicked off the Light Up Fox Chapel festivities at 6:30 p.m., leading the crowd in a Christmas song and then a countdown to illuminate a 30-foot spruce tree with white lights and a large Menorah display, both visible from the intersection of Fox Chapel and Field Club roads.

Scott greeted everyone warmly, despite the recently fallen snow and below-freezing temperatures.

He recalled how the borough once hosted light-up festivities during the 1950s and ‘60s, but then the celebrations fell by the wayside.

“We’ve been able to get it going bigger than ever,” Scott said. “I’m glad you’re all here.”

Afterwards, attendees were invited to a variety of free holiday-themed activities in the park area next to the borough grounds that included a bonfire, hot chocolate, crafts, cookies, visits with Santa, caricatures, sleigh rides and a performance by the Fox Chapel Area High School Choir.

Sixth-grader Blake Peterson clutched a caricature of herself with her friend.

Peterson attended last year and volunteered to help facilitate visits with Santa.

“It’s very festive and sweet with all these people that love their families,” Peterson said. “I love helping with Santa.”

MacKenzie Enerick was a first-time volunteer alongside Peterson and enjoyed a complimentary hot chocolate.

“I hope I’m on the nice list,” Enerick joked. “I am excited to eat the popcorn.”

Interim Fox Chapel Police Chief Craig Sorg donned a festive Santa hat to greet the more than 200 in attendance.

Sorg has served for 31 years in the borough and advocated for more community events five years ago.

“I like putting these events on for the community because everyone gets together. I used to know only about 10 families in Fox Chapel, now we started these and it’s amazing now because me and so many other officers know so many residents,” Sorg said. “It’s so enjoyable to get to know the people you are protecting and serving.”

Attendees were encouraged to donate an unwrapped toy for the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League’s Stuff-A-Store Project.

Fox Chapel Mayor-elect Jon Colton attended and stressed the growing holiday celebration is all-things-positive.

“Events like Light Up Night are so vitally important for the feeling, building and maintaining a sense of community in Fox Chapel,” Colton said. “It’s so wonderful seeing our borough staff, Public Works Department and first responders taking so much pride in making these events better and better each year.”

Fox Chapel lifelong resident Elizabeth Scott watched as Santa arrived with a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho.”

“It’s nice to attend and I’m happy to be here. I enjoyed hearing the grand marshal (mayor) speak and light the tree,” Scott said. “This celebration is back. They didn’t do anything here for decades and decades.”

The Guinn family of Fox Chapel were newcomers to the event and mom and Fox Chapel Borough Park Commissioner Melinda Guinn brought her three children.

Annika Guinn, 9, watched as her brother gathered snow to make a handheld snowman.

“It’s great to come out to hear the music and see the lights,” Melinda Guinn said. “The real highlight for me was the FCAHS pop-up choral concert and seeing so many of the community volunteering their time to create some holiday magic for the kids.”

This season’s borough Menorah was provided by nonprofit organization The Jewish Spark.

Shternie Rosenfeld, executive director ofThe Jewish Spark, braved the frigid temperatures alongside her daughter Kenna Rosenfeld at a Jewish-themed booth with crafts and information.

“We’re here to share some Hanukkah cheer,” Rosenfeld said. “It’s so beautiful we can cross-section the community and celebrate everybody’s holidays.”

Hanukkah begins on Dec. 14.

“This is one of the most exciting events we put on. I love Christmas and the holiday season, ” Sorg said. “I’m so glad we get so many people attending.”

Aspinwall resident Ting Ting Dunn brought her son Alex Tan, a first-grader at O’Hara Elementary.

Tan played coy on whether he’s on Santa’s naughty or nice list.

“Oh, I don’t know yet,” he said.

Cinnamon, a 2-year-old Fox Chapel K9 Officer for a Day, was on hand and adoptable from Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley.

Cinnamon is the fourth pup to serve as a K9 Officer in hopes of finding a forever family, a program organized by Sorg.

Dunn recently moved to Pittsburgh and missed light-up festivities last year.

“I’ve gone to other light-up events in Cincinnati and Florida, so I wanted to attend. It’s good to hear they have this. It’s so nice because everyone is so nice here and they have a lot of activities for the kids,” Dunn said.