Shaler ushers in holiday season with Lite Up Night, complete with ice skating, carriage rides,

A crisp, cool and clear evening set the mood for this year’s annual Lite Up Night at Shaler North Hills Library and Shaler Area Middle School.

The four-hour holiday extravaganza Nov. 22 offered countless free activities for families and children.

The smell of firewood burning filled the air as smoke billowed out of the three firepits that attracted attendees for a quick warm up or a free roasted marshmallow s’more.

Jessica Duffy and Juan Thompson, both of Shaler, were sharing the warmth of the firepit and giving their 5-year-old son, Jordan Thompson, a break from the many activities.

“This is great. They do it right here. Everything is free for the kids. It doesn’t get much better than that,” Thompson said.

Duffy, a lifelong resident of Shaler, said they have been coming to the event just about every year.

One of the main attractions of the evening was the ice-skating rink, but it wasn’t just any old ice rink. As a matter of fact, there was no ice at all.

All Year Sports Galaxy of Wheeling, W.Va., brought its portable synthetic ice to the event. The company will return to the area in January for an event in Etna.

However, the kids zipping around the parking lot at the Shaler North Hills Library weren’t worried about how authentic the feel was.

Dhana Lakshmn of Mars watched as her 6-year-old daughter, Ishwalya, danced around the rink.

“We drove here from Mars tonight because we used to live in the North Hills and this used to be our library,” Lakshmn said.

“This is so much fun. Ishwalya couldn’t wait to get her skates on and try this,” Lakshmn said.

The ice skating was so popular that some kids donned skates for very first time.

Kindle Santucci, 8, was with her mother, Jessica Santucci of Shaler.

“We come here every year but this is the first time that she has shown an interest in ice-skating so tonight is her first time and she loves it,” Santucci said.

In addition to the ice-skating rink, the next longest line was for the free horse-drawn carriage rides.

Giant horses strapped to an authentic carriage clattered up and down Mt. Royal Boulevard.

Amanda Mueller showed true holiday spirit as she waited in the long carriage ride line with her five children, one of whom was only 37 days old.

“This will be his very first carriage ride,” said Mueller as she held Atlas.

The rest of her kids were excited, too. Kingsley, Emmet, Miranda and Kaylie all waited patiently to climb aboard.

Residents walked about the parking lot and enjoyed the outdoor activities, and children could enter Shaler Area Middle School for crafts and games.

There were plenty of activities to get everyone in the holiday mood, including a parade on the boulevard, a tree-lighting ceremony and photo opportunities with Santa.