Vandergrift Holiday Festival and Parade returns

Vandergrift is rolling out a three-day holiday welcome mat.

The 2021 Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza festival returns Dec. 3-5.

Founder and organizer Denise Lewandowski-George launched the event last year — despite a pandemic.

Many Vandergrift residents were disappointed when the annual holiday parade sponsored by the Vandergrift Improvement Program was cancelled last year because of covid restrictions.

This year, the parade returns Dec. 3 with a 5 p.m. lineup at Longfellow Street. The route will travel left onto Hancock, right onto Franklin and left onto Grant.

Festival activities include live music, auctions, prizes, raffles, horse-and-carriage rides, a scavenger hunt, cookie contest, gingerbread decorating contest, caroling, crafts, vendors and a food truck court.

“It’s bringing the community together, and everyone will celebrate Christmas together as a community with this event,” volunteer Lisa Schrader said.

Volunteer and Vandergrift native Tommy Scanga considers the event “homegrown.” He credits Lewandowski’s dedication and commitment to the Extravaganza for its success last year — even during a pandemic.

“Her dream is to make Vandergrift like a Hallmark movie,” Scanga said. “It was tough (last year) — some people were offended. Some people thought it shouldn’t happen because of covid.”

A food truck court will feature Del Vecchio’s Sausage and Fries, Hot Ash Pizza, Smoke in the Heights, Fox’s Pizza Den, Nedal Gyro, Fat Cat Subs and Kona Ice.

A 5K Holiday Dash will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 4 at 154 Grant Ave. The cost is $25 per person and pre-race packets will be distributed from 5 to 7 p.m. the night before at Fox’s Pizza Den, 182 Lincoln St.

Complimentary caricatures will be offered all weekend at Wooden Door Winery. A petting zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The Santa Breakfast will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. Gertrude Church, 303 Franklin Ave.

Mayor-elect Lenny Collini said he’s happy to see an abundance of holiday happenings in the borough.

“When I ran for mayor, this is exactly what I envisioned. It’s great that two holiday events are happening in town, plus the return of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ at the Casino Theater,” Collini said.

About 12 volunteers have worked more than three months organizing the Extravaganza. Collini said if more volunteers get involved, all of these events can grow.

“Thank you for everyone involved this year. It’s exciting to see new businesses opening up and seeing people patronizing them. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store in the future and being a part of it,” Collini said.

For a complete list of activities, times and information go to vandergriftbackwhen.com