Santa to make annual ‘First Stop’ in Cranberry this Friday
Just a month before he sets off on his annual voyage to drop off presents for children around the world, Santa Claus has a stop to make in Butler County.
The Cranberry Township Municipal Center is hosting the annual Santa’s First Stop holiday event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. The township promises the event will feature “crafts, games, food trucks, live reindeer and more.”
“It’s an annual event. Santa stops here first in Cranberry before going to any other event anywhere else in the world,” said Cranberry Township manager Dan Santoro.
The event will kick off with a performance from the Dutilh United Methodist Church choir inside the municipal building starting at 6:15 p.m. This performance will set the stage for the arrival of Santa Claus, who will enter around 7 p.m. on an antique engine from the Cranberry Volunteer Fire Company.
Once Santa arrives, according to Santoro, he will light the Christmas tree in front of the municipal building, signaling the unofficial start of the holiday season.
Nothing Bundt Cakes, Dairy Queen, Fun Fore All, Flame BBQ, Revival Chili, Hot Shot Dog Co. and the Cranberry Lion's Club will provide refreshments at this event.
Nonprofit organizations from around the area will put their decorated trees and wreaths on display throughout the building, as part of the Cranberry Township Community Chest’s Christmas Tree Gallery.
Attendees are asked to bring a new toy to light up a child’s Christmas. Throughout the night, the Cranberry Township EMS will be hosting its “Stuff the Ambulance” toy drive to benefit Toys for Tots.
“It’ll be two hours packed with exciting things to do,” Santoro said. “It’s in the hallway, in the gymnasium, in council chambers, in the library … it’ll take up the whole building.”
