S'mores, songs and skillet tossing create successful Christmas in the Woods in Lower Burrell

Andrea Guido isn’t a trained performer but there she was Saturday, donning a Santa hat and belting out Christmas carols at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Park in Lower Burrell.

Guido got a text from a friend earlier in the month, asking if she would like to perform at the city’s first Christmas in the Woods.

“Why not?” Guido said. “This is great.”

She was among 10 friends who roamed the grounds to entertain a crowd of hundreds with holiday favorites like “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls.”

“I love it,” said Guido, of the one-day caroling group.

A slew of other activities included a bonfire, live Nativity scene, pictures with Santa, marketplace and hayrides through “Candy Cane Forest.”

“We wanted to bring the community together,” organizer Debbie Kurtik said.

The secretary of the city’s parks and recreation commission said she underestimated the draw of the event. By the time the gates opened at 2 p.m., parking lots were full. Vehicles stretched at least a quarter-mile up Wildlife Lodge Road to accommodate festival-goers.

“It’s a learning experience,” Kurtik said. “We’re glad that so many people turned out. Next year, we’ll definitely have a shuttle.”

She credited marketing coordinator Beth Fazzini for creating a buzz with social media posts and connections with eight area churches, each of which drummed up awareness in their congregations.

The day was filled with activities for all ages, from cookie-decorating for children to fly-casting and skillet tossing for adults. A line of grown-ups waited in the outfield of a softball field for their turn to chuck a frying pan as far as possible. The farthest toss every hour won a gift card.

“We wanted to make sure there was something for everyone, and that seems kind of fun,” Kurtik said.

A roaring bonfire drew a big crowd throughout the day, with kids using it to roast marshmallows and adults trying to warm up as temperatures hovered in the mid-30s.

Truly Watson, 10, created a gooey s’mores with graham crackers and chocolate. She said it tasted “two thumbs up.”

Her mom, Nikki, said the event was good old-fashioned fun for the family.

“It’s really nice,” she said. “I think we’ll stay right by this fire for awhile ‘til everyone warms up.”

Babs Capezio-Adams said she was enjoying the sense of community. Visiting family from Arizona, she joked it was fortunate she brought her winter coat.

The trail between the fields was dotted with face painters, food trucks, a bake sale and a holiday market. People ate funnel cakes and cheesesteaks, and gathered near the coffee booth for gourmet hot beverages.

Vendor Alex Pittman of New Kensington set up her booth, Spooky Fae Creations, with colorful crocheted characters like Pokemon and Peppa Pig. It takes her up to four hours to craft the one-of-a-kind companions.

“People really like them,” Pittman said. “You can snuggle with them or put them on a shelf. They make people happy.”

Lower Burrell Councilman Mike Stanoski said he couldn’t have been happier with the turnout.

He was looking forward to participating in Saturday evening’s parade, which was expected to begin at 7 p.m. near Community Market off Leechburg Road and end with the tree-lighting near Stewart Elementary School.

“It’s nice to see a big turnout,” Stanoski said. “People really seem to be enjoying themselves.”