Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza wows crowds through Sunday

The Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza kicked off Friday with a bang.

Thousands of festival-goers lined Grant Avenue to watch more than 20 floats, costumed characters and the award-winning Kiski Area High School Marching Band.

“It was great,” said Steve Broda, a member of the committee who helped organize the third annual “old-timey” event.

Saturday, a brief burst of rain ruined some of the fun. The rain was fast but furious, knocking down display tents and running like a river through the borough’s business corridor.

“It was like a three-minute weather disaster,” said Isaac Owen, a Valley High School graduate working a kid’s toy booth owned by Lower Burrell’s Fidget Tree.

“It was going really well until then,” said co-worker and Burrell senior Cassidy O’Brien. “There were so many people shopping and so many vendors.”

The pair braved the quickly dipping temperatures and kept their booth open while sporadic crowds browsed for holiday gifts.

The Back When Holiday Extravaganza is sponsored by the Vandergrift Lions and organized by a group of about 20 volunteers, led by Christmas fanatic Denise Lewandowski.

Despite the weather setbacks, she was quick to point out that there would be a buzz of activity Sunday lasting through 3 p.m.

“There are indoor vendors and raffle baskets that have people flocking in a solid way,” Lewandowski said.

“People are loving it – and there’s more to come on Sunday.”

The borough’s version of “Amazing Race” kicks off at 11:30 a.m. Teams pay $20, with proceeds benefiting the police department’s efforts to buy holiday gifts for people in need.

Sign-ups for a free Breakfast with Santa capped off at 200 children, with Broda saying people are “super excited about it.”

Throughout the three-day event, organizers kept in mind the true meaning of the season, setting up food drives and toy donations.

For revelers, there were food trucks with ravioli, fudge, pizza and Asian-inspired fare, among other items. Allusion Brewing Co. sold hot wassail, an apple cider-like beverage with or without alcohol.

People appeared to enjoy the horse-and-carriage rides and the giant holiday decorations that dotted the street.

Vendor Adrienne Vita traveled two hours from Bedford to sell her alpaca yarn skeins and hand-carved wooden cheese boards.

“I raise seven alpacas and we shear them once a year,” she said.

The owner of Hickory Homestead Creations said sales were steady. She felt fortunate to be inside the Vandergrift Market, an indoor hodgepodge of vendors.

“When the rain came down, a lot of us ran outside to help hold down the tents,” she said. “We tried to shove as many people inside as we could fit.”

Shopper Blake Sonware didn’t seem to mind the chilly temperatures.

“I’m in line for a cannoli,” he said. “What’s to complain about?”