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Rain couldn't dampen holiday spirits at the Oakmont Hometown Christmas | TribLIVE.com
Plum Advance Leader

Rain couldn't dampen holiday spirits at the Oakmont Hometown Christmas

Michael DiVittorio
Michael DiVittorio
1998273_web1_Pal-OakChristmas13-120519
Lillian Dedomenic | For the Tribune-Review
Oakmont officially kicked off the holiday season with the traditional Hometown Christmas celebration Nov. 23. The evening started with the annual parade along Allegheny River Boulevard from Verona to Oakmont. Families and children cheered as the decorated floats, carolers, cartoon characters, Riverview Marching Band and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, made their way along the parade route. The wet, rainy evening didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those attending. The community tree was officially lit signaling the start of the holiday season.
1998273_web1_Pal-OakChristmas4-120519
Lillian Dedomenic | For the Tribune-Review
Oakmont officially kicked off the holiday season with the traditional Hometown Christmas celebration Nov. 23. The evening started with the annual parade along Allegheny River Boulevard from Verona to Oakmont. Families and children cheered as the decorated floats, carolers, cartoon characters, Riverview Marching Band and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, made their way along the parade route. The wet, rainy evening didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those attending. The Riverview Marching Band donned Santa hats, grabbed their instruments and marched down the boulevard playing Christmas music.
1998273_web1_Pal-OakChristmas12-120519
Lillian Dedomenic | For the Tribune-Review
Oakmont officially kicked off the holiday season with the traditional Hometown Christmas celebration Nov. 23. The evening started with the annual parade along Allegheny River Boulevard from Verona to Oakmont. Families and children cheered as the decorated floats, carolers, cartoon characters, Riverview Marching Band and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, made their way along the parade route. The wet, rainy evening didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those attending. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a fire truck.
1998273_web1_Pal-OakChristmas10-120519
Lillian Dedomenic | For the Tribune-Review
Oakmont officially kicked off the holiday season with the traditional Hometown Christmas celebration Nov. 23. The evening started with the annual parade along Allegheny River Boulevard from Verona to Oakmont. Families and children cheered as the decorated floats, carolers, cartoon characters, Riverview Marching Band and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, made their way along the parade route. The wet, rainy evening didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those attending. A little wet, but the excitment ran high as dozens of decorated floats passed by the judges stand for the float contest. The McShea family received top marks from parade judges for their Toy Story 4 float.
1998273_web1_Pal-OakChristmas1-120519
Lillian Dedomenic | For the Tribune-Review
Oakmont officially kicked off the holiday season with the traditional Hometown Christmas celebration Nov. 23. The evening started with the annual parade along Allegheny River Boulevard from Verona to Oakmont. Families and children cheered as the decorated floats, carolers, cartoon characters, Riverview Marching Band and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, made their way along the parade route. The wet, rainy evening didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those attending. Braeden Devine, 7, his sister Julianna, 10, and brother Grayson, 5, sit under the protection of a giant umbrella waiting patiently for the parade to pass by.
1998273_web1_Pal-OakmontChristmas28-112918RA
Lillian Dedomenic | For the Tribune-Review
Members of the Barbershop Quartet “Songburst” ended Oakmont’s Christmas event with “We Wish you a Merry Christmas.”
1998273_web1_Pal-OakChristmas9-120519
Lillian Dedomenic | For the Tribune-Review
Oakmont officially kicked off the holiday season with the traditional Hometown Christmas celebration Nov. 23. The evening started with the annual parade along Allegheny River Boulevard from Verona to Oakmont. Families and children cheered as the decorated floats, carolers, cartoon characters, Riverview Marching Band and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, made their way along the parade route. The wet, rainy evening didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those attending. A little wet, but the excitment ran high as dozens of decorated floats passed by the judges stand for the float contest. The McShea family received top marks from parade judges for their Toy Story 4 float.

Rain could not dampen holiday spirits in Oakmont and Verona as about a thousand people stopped by the two boroughs for the annual Hometown Christmas and parade on Nov. 23.

The event featured performances by Greater Harmony Chorus, a dance troupe from Kelsey’s Dance and Fitness Center, St. Irenaeus Preschool carolers and Redeemer Lutheran School singers.

Numerous vendors and local businesses had tents and tables lined up along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont, which was closed from Pennsylvania to Washington avenues.

Mystery Lovers Bookshop offered a letters for Santa writing workshop, and Castle Toys and Games had a mailbox designated for those letters.

The parade began in Verona along East Railroad Avenue near the borough building around 5 p.m., just when it started to rain.

Sprinkles turned into a downpour as the parade made its way down the boulevard soaking marchers and onlookers.

That did not stop more than a dozen floats, 25 decorated jeeps, Riverview School District marching band, local and state officials as well as firefighters from Verona, Oakmont, Penn Hills, Plum, Upper Burrell and Blawnox from participating.

The McShea family received top marks from parade judges for their Toy Story 4 float complete with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head on top of the truck, several homemade-costumed characters from the movie walking along side and music icon Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” playing from the float speakers.

Musician Bill Deasy served as the parade grand marshal. Pittsburgh-based Greater Pitt Tree Service was the main sponsor.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived via Oakmont fire truck and closed out the parade.

Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.

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Categories: Local | Plum Advance Leader
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