Joy abounds for New Kensington's Christmas parade

Joy and excitement — and even some fake snow — were in the air in New Kensington on Saturday morning, as crowds lined Fifth and Fourth avenues to make way for the city’s Christmas parade.

“It’s nice to see everyone come out for the holidays,” said Justin Adamson, 23, of Harrison City.

Adamson, Jay Mendez, 20, of Pittsburgh and Tori Rojas, 18, of Mars tossed rifles during the parade as part of the Top Hats performance ensemble.

The parade featured dance groups, fire departments, community organizations and, of course, Santa Claus atop a city fire truck, complete with faux snow.

Sarah and Ian Ritchie of Lower Burrell went to the parade to watch their daughter, Lily, dance with Ovation School of Dance. They were joined by friends Ben Clever and Denise Sloan of Brackenridge.

They all wore festive garb but couldn’t be topped by Ian, who was decked out head to toe with a Christmas-themed jumpsuit and ornaments attached to his beard.

“It’s Christmastime,” he said. “’Tis the season.”

Three-year-old Sully Meyers and his 9-month-old sister, Cece, watched and waved throughout the parade with their grandmother, Donna Romango of East Deer. Sully’s face lit up with each passing group.

“He loves parades,” Romango said.

New Kensington family Trent Owen and Molly Farneth brought their children, Colton Owen, 5, and 4-year-old twins Journee and Hayden, to the parade to ring in the season and see some of their friends.

The unseasonably mild weather — in the high 50s and cloudy — also made the parade experience nice, Farneth said.

“We wanted to let the kids see happiness,” Owen said.