A Leechburg holiday tradition returns Saturday

A holiday tradition in Leechburg that was scaled back last year because of the pandemic is set to return Saturday with more activities and fun.

Leechburg Area Community Association presents Luminate Leechburg. Activities begin about 1 p.m. along Market Street.

The event has taken place on what is commonly referred to as Small Business Saturday for about a dozen years.

“I hope it continues forever,” LACA President Doreen Smeal said. “Leechburg is a very tight-knit community, and we all seem to come together when the time needs (us) to come together. I cannot see this not happening.”

Last year’s activities included a small scavenger hunt, mask decorating contest and parade with a socially distanced Santa.

This year features the traditional photos with Santa, as well as letter writing to jolly old St. Nick from 1-3 p.m. at Coco Coffee House at 163 Market St.

Shop owner Nikki Saxion said she has been involved with the event for 10 years.

“It’s fun to see the kids get excited,” she said. “Some of them get nervous. It’s cute to see everyone get in the holiday spirit.”

The scavenger hunt has been expanded throughout the borough. Participants can search for clues and bags from 3-5 p.m.

Those who find everything the fastest will receive Visa gift cards.

“I’m hoping that this is another traditional thing that starts happening and we can do this more often,” Smeal said about the scavenger hunt.

Story hour at Leechburg Public Library is set for 2 p.m.

Its Christmas activity is ornament decorating. Participants can make an ornament for themselves or the library’s tree.

Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market will host cookie decorating from 1-4 p.m.

Kiski Valley Community Church will have ’smores from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and First Lutheran Church will have a bake sale from 3-5 p.m.

Christmas movies will be playing from 1-5:30 p.m. in the parking lot between Leechburg Floral and Get Dressed Formals.

Little C’s food truck also will be parked along Market Street throughout the event.

Activities culminate with a parade at 5:30 p.m.

The route is from the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company along Canal Street and turning on River Avenue, onto Market Street, then First Street and back to the fire hall.

Parade participants include Leechburg Area High School marching band, Girl Scouts and a few fire departments.

LACA secretary/treasurer Dan Logero said Luminate Leechburg started out as a fundraiser to replace old Christmas decorations and lights, and things grew exponentially.

He said the Christmas tree has been moved to its more traditional location along Second Street from the lot near the Leechburg Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Logero said, for years, the tree would get knocked over by the wind or other means.

“We’re hoping that the wind won’t affect it this year,” Logero said. “I’m fine with (the move). I think it’s great. Growing up, that’s always where it was. The wind was stronger than we were.”

A band from Murphy’s Music Store will be playing Christmas carols by the tree before Santa turns on the lights after the parade.

Leechburg firefighters will also collect new unwrapped toys from 2-5 p.m.

Toys will be donated to the nonprofit Alle-Kiski Kids. The goal is to stuff a fire truck full of gifts for area families.

Fire Chief Tom Foster said his department is proud to participate in the event.

“It’s something that we’ve always done, and it’s sort of tradition in Leechburg,” he said. “That’s what the fire department does, and hopefully it will get everybody in the holiday spirit.”