New Kensington Christmas parade dazzles with dancers, fire engines, Santa and even (fake) snow

The forecast called for rain but there were snow flurries in New Kensington on Saturday for the annual Christmas parade.

The guest of honor, Santa Claus, arrived atop a fire engine under a squall of huge white flakes — made of foam and sprayed from a nearby truck.

Crowds lining Fifth Avenue cheered for jolly St. Nick as the holiday season officially kicked off in the city.

Five-year-old Colton Pacek clapped with friends Marshall Hoch and Anthony Andiorio as a slew of fire engines wailed past.

“They’re my favorite,” Colton said.

Farther down the street, Kailyn Thomas, 14, waited for the Furries to arrive.

Dressed as Tinsel the Christmas Furry, Thomas said it’s family tradition to attend the parade with her grandma, Brenda Wilson.

“We’ve come every year since I was 2,” said Thomas, a ninth grader at Valley High School.

The pair made their way slowly down Barnes Street to get a front-row seat for the parade, with several people stopping to compliment Thomas’ festive dress and reindeer antlers.

The parade featured dance troupes, Boy Scouts, churches and fire departments, among other attractions.

It kicked off at 11 a.m. and made a giant loop around the business district just before the clouds opened up and it began to rain.

Festivities followed Friday evening’s lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, along with Mayor Tom Guzzo’s annual free dinner.

More than 300 meals of ham, pasta and other goodies were served free to the community.

Michelle Thom, general manager of Voodoo Brewing Co., said the pub provided the truck that splattered the fake snow along the parade route. The New Ken Downtown Partnership was scheduled to host horse-and-carriage rides later in the day.

“We did it last year and it was a real hit,” Thom said.

The parade, organized by the city and its firefighters, drew a sizeable crowd of all ages.

Lisa Goshorn of Arnold brought her daughter and grandsons, each of who walked away with fists full of candy.

“It’s a great time,” Goshorn said. “They did a really nice job this year.”