Those looking to connect in the holiday season can find some cheer at two events this weekend: Claysburgh’s Christmas in the Park and Hollidaysburg’s Winterfest Parade.
Claesburgh’s ninth annual birthday party will be held in the park on Saturday, November 19th. The show will take place at 3 p.m. and travel from the US Claesburg to the park via Bedford Street.
Free events will be held in the park after the show.
On Sunday, November 20, the Holidasburg Winter Carnival will begin at 2 p.m., with participants lining up at noon.
The show will begin at Hollidaysburg Junior High School and travel down Union Street, to Allegheny Street and then Front Street before stopping at the fire station.
Marching bands, carousel groups, fire trucks, altoona curve, and baby rangers will appear in the parade. For the first time, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club is set to participate, according to Melanie Ramsey, the borough’s director of community relations and events.
“We have about 50 different organizations involved, which is up from last year,” Ramsey said.
The sponsor of the parade, Ramsey said, is Hollidaysburg American Legion Post 516, which has invited local veterans to demonstrate at the front of the parade as a way to honor them after the Veterans Day parade was canceled this year due to rain.
American Legion Auxiliary Michele Boland said she often works with veterans at the Holidasburg Veterans Home and is excited to honor them. The veterans will be preceded by home captain Sam Dunkel and deputy captain Chrissie Dambeck, Boland said.
Virginia Harrington, this year’s Holidaysburg native, will be the marshal of the parade.
The Altoona AMBUCS and Cub Scout Pack 31 will collect food donations for American rescue workers and the 30 Boy Scout Troop will join the Marine Corps to collect donations from Tots in Santa Float at the end of the parade.
Kids may give letters to Santa to the American Legion Riders Post 516 color guard at the start of the procession.