Category: Events || By Almanac Staff

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Renziehausen Park, where the city's 24th annual Festival of Trees is now underway.

More than 60 trees are on display at Jacob Wall Pavilion, located just inside the University Drive entrance, representing groups, businesses and individuals from the McKeesport area.

Admission is $2 for adults, while children under 12 are admitted free if they bring a canned good for a needy family. The event runs 12 to 9 p.m. daily through Monday night.

Children may also have their photos taken with Santa (bring your own camera) daily from 12 to 4 and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by the McKeesport High School Alumni and Friends Association, while the Semper Fidelis Club will hold a bake sale.

Live entertainment will be provided every day, including:

• Friday: McKeesport High School Orchestra, 1:15 p.m.; St. Angela Merici School Ensemble, 7 p.m.


• Sunday: Mikey Dee Band, 2:30 p.m., Chalice, 3:30 p.m., Northside Urban Pathways Sounds of Steel, 5 p.m., St. Agnes School, 7 p.m.


• Monday: Brownie Troop No. 50161, 6 p.m.; Blotzer Music Studio, 7 p.m.; Penn-Sembles Adult Tamburitzans, 8 p.m.

Throughout the Festival of Trees, the McKeesport Heritage Center will be open with holiday displays from 12 to 8 p.m. daily. Activities at the Heritage Center include a train layout, holiday gift basket raffle, a free raffle for children and an ornament-making station, free popcorn and items for sale.

In addition, the Garden Club of McKeesport will open its clubhouse daily from 12 to 8 p.m. to sell fresh holiday wreaths and other handmade gifts and crafts. Baked goods and items for children will also be available.

"Sleigh" rides through Renzie will be provided by the city's public works department from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Monday and 12 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A list of tree entries is available after the jump.

. . .

The Festival of Trees committee includes Pat Harris, chair; Patti Bosnak, Cheryl Cotter, Jim Brown, Jennifer Shields, Dee Connor, Marty Allen, Al Washington, Chuck Jarrell and Tammy Toth. Other volunteers include Ruby Ford, Charlene and Frank Graham, Cathy and Don Kuhns, Margaret Okeson, Dale and Jean Robinson, Elsa Saxon and Ann Todd.

2009 Festival of Trees entries:

1. Remembrance Tree by Striffler Family Funeral Homes


2. Pet Remembrance Tree by Sue Striffler Galaski


3. Policeman's Christmas Prayer by McKeesport Police Department


4. What the World Needs Now by LaRosa Boys and Girls Club


5. George Washington Elementary Recycles by George Washington Elementary School


6. Christmas Reflections by McKeesport Area High School National Honor Society


7. Nature in Winter by Garden Club of McKeesport


8. Tree of Life by McKeesport Area High School Anatomy and Life Skills Class


9. Reminiscing of Old-Time Favorites by Arden Courts of Jefferson Hills


10. Happy 70th Birthday Rudolph by Carnegie Library of McKeesport


11. Past and Presents: Celebrating 125 Years by the Daily News


12. Blasting Off Into Space by Centennial Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization


13. Popping Up Holiday Fun by Cub Scout Pack 916


14. Support Our Troops by Beulah Park United Methodist Church


15. Feeding the Mind and Body by Cornell Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization


16. Caring and Sharing for a Warm and Cozy Holiday Season by Jefferson Hills Manor


17. Happy "Holly" Days by Francis McClure Intermediate School


18. Pre-K Counts by McKeesport Area School District Child Development Students


19. All That Glitters Isn't Gold by White Oak Athletic Association


20. Hearts of Gold by The Craig Family


21. Garden of Faithful Friends by Jefferson Memorial Cemetery and Funeral Home


22. Yesterdays by McKeesport Business and Professional Women's Club


23. Happy 40th Birthday Frosty by AIU McKeesport Family Center After School Program


24. We Serve by McKeesport Lions Club


25. Not a Creature Was Stirring by McKeesport High School Alumni and Friends Association


26. Recycled Tree by McKeesport Environmental Club


27. The Very Hungry Caterpillar "I Spy" Tree by White Oak Elementary School


28. Old World Tree by Mayor James Brewster


29. Bread of Life by St. Angela Merici School


30. Rising Stars by West Mifflin Area Pre-K Counts


31. Jesus is the Reason for the Season by The Well Ministries


32. Christmas in the Arctic by St. Joseph Regional School Student Council


33. Jesus Wraps Us With His Love by St. Patrick Church CCD


34. Tie-dings of Great Joy by McKeesport Art Group


35. A Tiger Wonderland by McKeesport Area School District Student Council


36. Believe by McKeesport Ministerium


37. TOPS McKeesport by Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter No. 563


38. Winter Wonderland by YMCA of McKeesport


39. Christ is the Light of the World by Walnut Grove Christian School


40. Christmons by Wesley United Methodist Church


41. Good Stewards of God's Creation by Serra Catholic High School


42. Seasons Fly By Like Birds in The Sky by Joyful Bloomers Garden Club


43. Christmas is About Saving the World by St. Agnes School


44. The Spanish Tree by South Allegheny High School Spanish IV and V Classes


45. Gingerbread Country Christmas by Praise Christian Academy


46. Unique and Beautiful by Northside Urban Pathways


47. Holiday Wish by Mon Yough Community Services


48. The Snowmen by McKeesport-White Oak Girl Scouts


49. Sweet Memories by McKeesport Weed and Seed Tall Team


50. Mele Kalikimaka by McKeesport First Steps Parenting Program


51. King of Kings Minis-tree by God Heals Theotherapy Seminars


52. Legend of the Snowflake by Parkview Community Federal Credit Union


53. Yes We Can by The Semper Fidelis Club


54. Helping, Hoping and Homeless by Auberle


55. 24/7 by McKeesport Fire Department


56. Spirit of Living by Lifespan


57. Pittsburgh Spirit by Atria Senior Living


58. Blue Star Banner Tribute by American Legion of White Oak


59. Veterans Memorial Tree by Strifflers' Design Monuments


60. NAPA Tree by NAPA Auto Parts, White Oak


61. Honors Our Animals by White Oak Animal Safe Haven

Additional trees are displayed off-site, including the Helen Richey Aviation Tree, Old-Fashioned Christmas Victorian Tree and Christmas at the North Pole Tree, all at McKeesport Heritage Center; and the Let Nature Sing Tree at the Garden Club of McKeesport.