The holiday season starts early in Quaker Valley as the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce gears up for its sixth annual Christmas in July.

“It’s a great time to bring people in from all over Pittsburgh to come visit Sewickley, plan their big day trip, shop, eat, really experience the town. Plus, it’s a great time to get great deals,” chamber president Diana Kauffman said. “We call it the second best time of the year.”

She said it’s the best time for sales outside of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday weekend.

Christmas in July is planned for July 24-30, which includes the Sewickley Night Mart on Friday, July 29.

More than 30 businesses are expected to participate.

Festivities begin July 24 with a Sundae 5K run/walk.

Registration is at 9:30 a.m. outside Sewickley Confectionery, 600 Beaver St. Lineup is scheduled for 9:50 a.m. with the race starting promptly at 10 a.m.

The race goes down Beaver Street, left on Academy Avenue near the Edgeworth border, left onto Thorn Street and a right onto Grant Street.

It goes under Ohio River Boulevard and left onto Chadwick Street, past the park and left at what is known as the sports track before heading back up Chadwick Street, right onto Ferry Street, right onto Thorn Street, left onto Logan Street, left onto Washington Street and ending with a foam party finish at Chestnut Street.

Borough firefighters will be on hand to hose down the foam and any runners as necessary. People have until 1 p.m. to finish the run/walk. There will be awards for the top three fastest finishers.

There will be yoga and Pilates instructors leading stretches prior to the 5K.

Many businesses will have outdoor sidewalk sales afterward.

The ice cream shop was also the starting line for last year’s race.

“Coming out of the pandemic, it was a good time to make the investment to make our business district a little more attractive and help keep the lights on,” owner Chris Bichsel said. “We had a great turnout last year for our very first time. I wasn’t expecting the numbers that we got, but it was perfect. It worked out really well.

“I’m expecting the same outpouring because the resident of the (Sewickley) Village and friends of the community have always been great to help support our local businesses.”

About 130 people took park in the inaugural 5K. Participation is capped this year at 150 people for safety reasons.

“We have a mixture of serious runners and we also have moms with strollers, dads with dogs,” Kauffman said. “So you can walk it or run it.

Cost is $25 per participant. Entrance fee includes a race t-shirt, towel, raffle tickets and a make-your-own-sundae from Sewickley Confectionery.

Pre-registration is available online at eventbrite.com.

Proceeds benefit the chamber’s Keep the Lights On project, an initiative to provide LED Edison bulbs throughout the business district.

Last year, 800 bulbs were strung across Beaver Street at a cost of about $6,000.

This year’s goal is to install at least that many lights along Walnut and Broad streets.

Kauffman said the lights make the town more charming place, as well as provide an extra sense of security for the businesses and illuminate the area for the night marts.

More information about Christmas in July will be posted online at sewickleychamberofcommerce.org.

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