Santa's First Stop, sponsored by Karski Spokane Orthodontics, will get a lot “cooler” this year with the addition of the Eagle North Pole Ice Festival prior to St. Nicholas’ arrival. The display is a collaboration between the Township and the publisher of the Cranberry Eagle and Butler Eagle newspapers.
The event, scheduled for Friday, November 22, kicks off at 4 p.m. with the blocks of ice set up near the front entrance of the municipal center. Sculptors from DiMartino Ice Company will use more than 75 blocks of ice will be used to create 18 displays. Some of the displays will be carved live, giving attendees a chance to see creations such as an ice carriage, an elf sculpture with a face cutout for photo ops and a wheelchair fit for interactive fun.
The main attraction is a 40-block ice slide behind the Sample School House. The sculptures are on display until 9 p.m. Proceeds from the celebration will be donated to the Cranberry Township Community Chest 2020 Project of the Year.
Food Trucks - Also at 4 p.m., food trucks will fire up their kitchens in the rear parking lot, including Mission Mahi, Pittsburgh Po Boy, Steve & Benny’s Chicken and Parrot Bay. Food will be on sale throughout the event, with Grange Hall serving as the dining area.
Throughout the event, Cranberry Township EMS will be holding a “Stuff Our Ambulance” drive to benefit Toys for Tots. Attendees are asked to bring a new toy to make a child’s Christmas a little brighter.
The Township’s traditional annual events kick off at 6 p.m., with crafts, activities and games sponsored by Township businesses and entities in the municipal center gymnasium. Santa’s reindeer will be on-site, awaiting their boss’ arrival.
A Lego train display will chug around Council Chambers, hosted by Steel City Lug.
The Dutilh United Methodist Church Choir will perform from 6:15-6:50 p.m. inside, setting the stage for Santa Claus’ arrival at 7 p.m. on the Cranberry Volunteer Fire Company’s antique fire engine.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will depart to continue their holiday preparations at 7:30 p.m.
Santa will not be available for individual photos during First Stop festivities, but will return to the Township to meet with children during the Milk and Cookies events on December 7 and 8.
Event Schedule
- 4 p.m. – Eagle North Pole Ice Festival (sponsored by our friends at the Cranberry Eagle) opens; food trucks begin selling food
- 5:30 p.m. – Santa’s reindeer arrive
- 6 p.m. – Santa’s First Stop activities begin, including games, activities and crafts
- 6:15-6:50 p.m. – Dutilh United Methodist Church Choir performs inside the Municipal Center
- 7 p.m. – Santa arrives
- 9 p.m. – Event concludes