Light Up Fox Chapel set for Dec. 4

Fox Chapel officials, hoping to build on a resurging holiday tradition, have added more activities to the borough’s upcoming celebration.

The second annual Light Up Fox Chapel is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 outside the borough building, 401 Fox Chapel Road.

New things this year include performances by the Dorseyville Middle School Concert Choir and Shady Side Academy ensembles.

There will be a trackless train ride, a bonfire, a caricature artist, Eat’n Park cookie decorating, crafts for children and a special mail box for letters for Santa.

Pgh Crepe will bring its food truck, and hot chocolate will be provided by the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy.

Mayor Alex Scott will serve as the grand marshal and turn on the lights at 5:15 p.m.

Santa is expected to arrive after the illumination ceremony via Sgt. Pepper, the police department’s 1970 Volkswagen Beetle.

This will be the second Light Up night organized by police Sgt. Craig Sorg and Shawn Marie Peterson, the borough’s secretary.

“We started in July to get everything going, and then we really hit the pavement in August with contacting the schools and then Craig worked on getting Santa here,” Peterson said.

“We have a lot more activities happening. Last year being our first year, we wanted to keep it small just to see how it would go and how the community took to it. It seemed to be a really big hit. Hopefully, next year we can do even more. It’s bringing the community together.”

Peterson said it’s been a total team effort with public works adding lights around the tree, and many borough personnel will be at Light Up.

“I’m just excited getting ready for the event,” Sorg said. “Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I think with everything that we’re going to be providing for our guests is going to put everyone in the holiday spirit. It’s going to be fun for all ages. By adding additional activities to the event will help attract more people. It’s not the same year after year, and every year we do it we learn a little bit more.”

Organizers decided to move many of the activities from the front of the building to the back to improve participant safety.

People are encouraged to park at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church and Cooper-Siegel Community Library. Parking in the borough lot will be reserved for people who are disabled. Admission and parking are free.

Police will assist with traffic control.

Officers also will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages as part of the police department’s participation in the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League’s Stuff-a-Store program.

More information is available at fox-chapel.pa.us.