Category: Announcements || By An Editor

Above: Tube City Almanac file photo by John Barna

. . .

The head of U.S. Steel's U.S. pipemaking operations and his 7-year-old daughter will serve as grand marshals of this year's Salute to Santa parade.

Dennis G. Quirk, who began his career as a student-trainee in 1977 at U.S. Steel's National-Duquesne Works, and daughter Madelyn will join more than 70 units in Saturday's parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at McKees Point Marina.

Following the parade, children are invited to a free lunch at the Palisades, Fifth Avenue and Water Street, Downtown, to meet Santa.

. . .

U.S. Steel, which earlier this year resumed operations of the electric-resistance weld pipe mill in McKeesport from Camp-Hill Corp., is also a silver-level sponsor of the parade, says Annette James, assistant to Mayor Regis McLaughlin. UPMC McKeesport hospital is the parade's gold-level sponsor.

"They've really helped us out a lot so that we can have this great parade," James says. "It's a great kickoff for the holidays and everyone looks forward to it every year."

Marching bands from McKeesport Area High School, West Mifflin Area High School and St. Joseph Regional Catholic School will be joined by Steelers mascot "Steely McBeam," antique cars, dance and color troupes, local police, fire and rescue units, and floats from organizations such as Carnegie Library of McKeesport and the Autism Society of Pittsburgh.

Scout troops and sports teams will march as well, and Shriners' clowns will entertain, James says. White Oak Animal Safe Haven and DJs from WEDO (810) are also slated to participate, she says.

The judging stand will be located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Walnut Street, where the Daily News and Trib Total Media will provide free hot chocolate.

Parade judges this year are Ron Melocchi, City Councilwoman V. Fawn Walker-Montgomery, Dan Carr and Cyndi and Keith Soles.

. . .

Before the start of the parade, a separate group of judges will elect a queen and princess. Competing for the honor of queen of the parade are Kimberly Marie Hopkins of Glassport, who's sponsored by Knights of Columbus Stephen P. Barry Assembly 940; and Rachel Lewis of the city, sponsored by the McKeesport Area High School Tiger Band.

Princess candidates are Summer Wood, city, sponsored by White Oak Athletic Association; Morgan Burke, city, McKeesport Little Tigers; Sarah Belback-Opferman, White Oak, Knights of Columbus; and Malinda Mellor of Pittsburgh, Greater Pittsburgh Soap Box Derby.

Selecting the queen and princess are Annie Washowich, Kim Carr and Lynn Dougherty. "It's not a beauty contest," James says. "They'll be asked things like how they're involved in the community, and how they care about other people."

. . .

Units will begin lining up at the Marina at 9 a.m. The parade route continues up Fifth Avenue and ends just past city hall.

Each child attending the "Lunch with Santa" event also receives a free treat bag. Sponsors of the luncheon include U.S. Steel, Kiwanis Club of McKeesport-White Oak, and Eat 'n Park.

Other sponsors of Saturday's events include State Rep. Marc Gergely, Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport and Teamsters Local 205.

You are previewing your comment. Be sure to click on 'Post Comment' to store it.