Decorated Window Contest & Christmas Parade Float Winners

Immediately after sunset on the day before the parade, our judges canvassed 8th. Avenue searching for the "Best Decorated Storefront". The winner, by unanimous decision, was Tracy's Place, located at 219 E 8th. Ave. Tracy's received the Judges top scores for the talent and effort put into the overall display. There was a tie for second place between long time favorites, Penn Automotive and The Steel Valley Family Center. It was apparent to all of the judges that the effort and creativity keeps getting better and better each year.

The Decorated Window Contest was incredible, stated one judge! There were more participants than ever before, once again verifying that our business district is making a rebound. During this holiday season please take notice and stop in the businesses that are making a difference in our hometown. They include, Mr. Lees Hardware Store, Extreme Restoration, A&B Donut, Magistrate Torkowsky's Office, The Outerskin, Computer Goo Roos, MDL Insurance, Valencia's Party Balloon, Mon Valley Initiative, Shirley's Beauty Shop,Headstart, Home Cooking by Donna, Annex Cookery, Tin Front Cafe, Blemah Doo's, Retro on Eighth, The Black Mountain Spirit School of Chinese Kung Fu, Dreamz, Cricket, Duke's Upper Deck, Waterfront Embroidery, Avis Rent a Car, and Homestead Monument Works.

It was a beautiful Night in the Steel Valley. The Bridge Manger Scene was lit by the North Star, most of the wreaths on 8th Ave were glowing and the entire SV was still humming tunes from the Munhall & West Homestead Light up Night celebrations.

Volunteer judges for the window Decorating Contest were Former Barrett Elementary School Principal Doris Hyde, Vincent Guierie the General Manager of the Best Buy Waterfront Store, and Brenda Washington O'Neil, Homestead resident.

Newcomers to the Historic Steel Valley Parade, Walmart (West Mifflin) took top honors for their float dedicated to raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network. There was also a tie for second place, between, Eldercrest Nursing Home and the Steel Valley Family Center sharing the honors. The Boy and Girl Scout floats were great depictions of their scouting experiences. The floats from the local social service groups and local banks exhibited their loyalty to not just their costumers, but also to the Steel Valley area. The tributes to two of our beloved Steel Valley mentors was touching, as was the depiction of Michael Jackson. Some of the characters especially DORA, Cookie Monster and Elmo stole the show. The children were running into the street to hug each one of them. Our local Waterfront restaurants, Chick Fil a, Fuddruckers, and Eat n Park were there to help us celebrate.

The local bands were fantastic! Leading the Parade was our award winning Steel Valley Band. The beautiful holiday music and the marching provided a wonderful show of its own. The Oliver High School Band was small but mighty, with a beautiful sound and talented marchers. The West Mifflin Band, which stretched an entire city block, filled the streets with blue and gold colors and exciting holiday sounds. The Joyful Twirlers, the Duquesne -West Mifflin Boys and Girls Club, the Braddock YMCA-UPMC Steppers and Mary Ann's Dance Company showed us delightful moves as they performed in front of the reviewing stand.

It was also gratifying to see so many business represented either by a vehicle or walkers. A parade is just not a parade without our National Colors, so thanks to the Catholic War Veterans, WM R.O.T.C. and the United Sates Army. And last but not least, we had the real Santa Claus as the Parade Marshal. Mark your calendars now to join us in our celebration during the December 4, 2010 Historic Steel Valley Holiday Parade.

PS check out more photographs in the Valley Mirror and a full page Monday, December 7th edition of the McKeesport Daily News.

Happy Holidays

The 2009 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade Line-Up

Saturday December 5, 2009 12 Noon

1 FIRE TRUCKS

2 United States Steel Banner

3 STEEL VALLEY MAYORS Master Muffler Vehicles

4 Homestead Police Department/ Council Members Judge Mike Marmo

5 MUNHALL WEST HMSTD PD'S/Council members

5A Allegheny County Sheriff's Office

6 WEST MIFFLIN ROTC

7 GUMMY KNIGHT EXPRESS

8 State Rep Bill Kortz

9 Mon Valley HOGS/Hot Metal Motorcycles

10 TV personalities - WTAE

11 CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS

12 BEST BUY The Geek Squad

13 STEEL VALLEY BAND

14 STEEL VALLEY QUEEN

15 Steel Valley Cheerleaders/Rhythum Club

16 STEEL VALLEY WOMENS SOCCER

17 SYRIAN CLOWNS: DR. CUDDLES

18 Steel Valley School Board

19 SYRIA ROAD RIGS

20 FROGGY 98.3

21 Eldercrest Nursing Facility

22 TROOP 50681/Daisy & Girl Scouts

23 STEEL VALLEY YOUTH ATHL. ASSOC

24 STEEL VALLEY CHAMBER

25 STEEL VALLEY ROTARY

26 STATE FARM Insurance & Bear

27 JOYFUL TWIRLERS,Monroeville

28

29 MACEY, BOB

30 REP.MARC. GERGELY

31 FITZGERALD, RICH

32 COSTA, JAY

33 W.M. CUB SCOUTS PACK # 31

34 W.M.BROWNIE TRP. 188

36 David Doyle Stilt Walker

37 COMMUNITY OF CRUCIFIED ONE

38 IMPROV COMEDY CLUB/Brian linsinbigler

39 HOMESTEAD DUNKIN DONUT

40 Macy's

41 Italian Village Pizza Mascot

42 BARRET AND PARK SCHOOLS

43 LIL BO PEEP/Mistress Mary/Raggedy Ann & Andy

44 Boy Scout Troop Pack 15

45 Young Preservationist

46 MAPS

47 West Mifflin Boy Scout Troop 1111

48 KNIGHTS BARBER SHOP

49 PROPEL SCHOOLS

50 US ARMY Hummvee

51 TRI BORO FCU

52 Steel Valley Girl Scout Troop 54204

53 Duquesne - West Mifflin Boys & Girls Club

54 Puppets on Parade

55 KELLY'S TRUCK(Clifford the Big Red Dog)

57 Greg the Can Man

58 STEEL VALLEY FAMILY CENTER

59 HARMONY CLUB OF HOMESTEAD

60 CHICK-FIL-A/Lowes Home Improvement

61 Homestead District Lions Club

62 St.Theresa's Cheerleaders/Basketball Team

63 KENNYWOOD TROLLEY

65 Syria Highlanders Pipe & Drum

66 TURTLE CREEK MH/MR

67 MUSA

68 Daisy TROOP 50522 ANN ASHLEY

69 Guardian Storage

70 BENNETT, SANDY

71 KEN FISHER ANTIQUE CAR

72 MULLIGANS

73 Michael Jackson Impersonator-

74 Tracy's Fashions

75 STRONG WOMEN/STRONG GIRLS

76 BLACK MNT. Spirt sch chinese kung/fu

77 Waterfront Christian Church Float

78 MCDONALDS

79 PANDA BEAR

80 WALMART

81 MARY ANN & COMPANY DANCE

82 Lloyds Antique Cars

83 MCGRUFF CRIME DOG

84 STEAK AND SHAKE

85 TRANSITIONAL SERVICES

86 Oliver High School Band

87 GIANT EAGLE

88 ELMO/ COOKIE MONSTER- Carrying Banner

89 Fuddruckers

90 STILTS Uncle Sam

91 Carnegie Library of Homestead

92 SAND CASTLE DUNKIN THE DRAGON

93 Steel Valley COG

94 REB ROBIN RESTAURANT

95 Syrian Sidewinders

96 YMCA UPMC_TRI_BORO STEPPERS

97 Wendys

98 HOMESTEAD PARK UMC

99 West Mifflin Homecoming Queen-

100 WEST MIFFLIN HIGH "THUNDER BAND"

101 DJ Sean

102 HOMESTEAD DEMOCRATS

103 SALVATION ARMY CANTEEN/FLOAT

104 EAT-N-PARK SMILEY COOKIE

105 HORSES

106 Beginning With Books

107 SANTA

108 RALPHS

2009 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade

Planning is underway for the 2009 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade. Once again we are proud to have United States Steel as our major sponsor. Many new additions (and more to come) have been added to this year’s event which will be held on Saturday, December 5th at 12:00 noon. Participant lineup is 11:15 AM in West Homestead on Forest Avenue (West Homestead Police Station). The Parade travels along 8th Ave. from West Homestead to Munhall; which is approximately one mile of level roadway.

Refreshments will be available before the Parade at the Bulgarian (BMNECC) Hall across from the W. Homestead Station. After the Parade free refreshments will be served at the Rainbow Kitchen and Shop n Save. The Tin Front Café is open on 8th for specialty coffees. Fuddruckers, Chick-Fil-A and other Waterfront Restaurants will be offering delicious specials. Don’t miss the shopping opportunities at the Waterfront and on 8th Avenue as well!

Bands and marching units participating will be vying for a cash prize and certificates for the most outstanding unit. Once again we will offer a $500.00 prize for the “best” creative float. Wouldn't that be a wonderful way to make a donation to your favorite charity or to raise money for your group? Any organization can enter a float or if you aren’t a creative float maker, just march in the Parade. We are looking for creativity and uniqueness in this year’s Parade. Your participation in this years Parade will be a great way to kick off your holiday season. So put your ingenuity to work and join us in this year’s 2009 Parade.

E-mail us at homesteadwns@aol.com by November 9th so that we can add your organization to the 2009 HISTORIC STEEL VALLEY CHRISTMAS PARADE.

Denise M. Kelly,
Organizer for Betty Esper, Homestead Mayor,
Ray Bodnar, Munhall Mayor
& John Dindak, W. Homestead Mayor

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Saturday December 5, 2009 - 12 Noon

2009 Parade Update

Steel Valley businesses, churches and organizations

Revitalization of the SteelValley continues to make great strides throughout our communities. Many of the buildings and businesses on "TheAvenues" havebeen sold and are being refurbished with new commercial ventures and loft apartments.

The goal is to continue to focus attention to "The Avenues" by highlighting many of the special events that occur right here in our home towns. It is never too early to begin preparations for the 2009 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade, which will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at noon. The Parade truly is a display of the numerous non-profits, retail and food businesses as well as the churches and musician that are eager to showcasetheir wide variety of talents . New suggestions or to volunteer call Denise Kelly at 412-462-7272.

We are once again asking for your participation in this year's event. If you are an Avenues merchant (6th, 7th & 8th & side streets), please start creatively thinking about your storefront decorations. Every year a $300.00 prize is awarded to the Best Decorated Storefront. Along those same lines, we will be awarding the Best Decorated Float a $500.00 prize. This is also an opportunity to have special sales, raffles or just highlight your business.

DID YOU KNOW? A few revitalization projects underway include:

· Refurbishing of the old Half Brothers Building to lofts/restaurant

· Interest from Aldi’s (super market) in the Bev-o-maticBuilding and lots

· New Mostly Mod- Retro Furniture store in 200 block

· Refurbished gas station and convenience store on 8th. Ave.

· Steel Valley Family Center relocating to 300 block of8^th Ave

· Indoor parking for the Outer Skin Boutique

· New coffee shop in the 200 block - Tin Front Cafe

· New certified City Tattoo Parlor

· Refurbished children’s room at Carnegie Library of Homestead

· Addition to the Barrett Elementary School

· Redevelopment of intersections on 7th Ave & 8th Ave

· Blue Dust Bar and Restaurant Opened- corner of 6th & Amity

· Business Breakfast for all area businesses at Bulgarian-Macedonia Hall on October 14th; more information to follow soon

Visit: www.svchristmasparade.com

Denise Kelly

Borough of Homestead

412-462-7272

homesteadwns@aol.com

The 2009 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade

We are currently planning the 2009 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade and this year we hope to have the best Parade ever!

We want you and your business to participate in the areas largest Christmas parade.

As always, the 2009 Parade is the first Saturday in December, December 5th and it begins at 12:00 noon.

The participant’s lineup area is on Forest Avenue (right next to West Homestead Police Station) in West Homestead at 11:15 A.M. The Parade follows 8th Ave. from West Homestead to Munhall; approximately one mile and lasts about one hour.

Any organization can enter a float or if you aren’t a creative float maker, just march in the Parade. This is an excellent way of advertising your business or organization as there are hundreds of people in attendance at our Parade.

We are looking for creativity and uniqueness in this year’s Parade, so spice it up! Participants are then invited to enjoy refreshments which will be served at the end of the Parade in the Shop n ‘Save parking lot on Eighth Avenue. This is the area where the buses usually wait for the band members and all participants.

Don’t miss the shopping opportunities at the Waterfront after the Parade too!

Your participation in this years Parade will be a great way to kick off your holiday season. So put your creativity to work and join us in this year’s 2009 Parade.

Sincerely,

Denise M. Kelly, Organizer on behalf of Betty Esper, Mayor of Homestead, Ray Bodnar, Mayor of Munhall and John Dindak, Mayor of West Homestead

(412-462-7272)

WE WANT YOU!

TO BE PART OF THE HISTORIC STEEL VALLEY CHRISTMAS PARADE COMMITTEE

Individuals interested in helping to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct the best Christmas parade in the area, can contact : Denise Kelly at (412) 462-7272 or EMAIL: homesteadwns@aol.com

NORAD Tracks Santa

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

I Love A Parade!

2008 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade

WE WANT YOU!

WE WANT YOU
TO BE PART OF THE HISTORIC STEEL VALLEY CHRISTMAS PARADE COMMITTEE

Individuals interested in helping to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct the best Christmas parade in the area, can contact :
Denise Kelly at (412) 462-7272 or homesteadwns@aol.com

The Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade Committee is currently planning for The 2009 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade.

Everyone Loves A Parade!

Mr. McFeeley comes to Steel Valley "neighborhood"

By Michael Divittorio
Daily News Staff Writer

Blustery winds and chilly temperatures could not stop a speedy delivery at this year's Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade.

Nealy 20 fire trucks representing departments from Homestead, West Homestead, Munhall, Whitaker and West Mifflin led the way for Grand Marshal Mr. McFeeley from Misters Rogers' Neighborhood at Saturday's parade.

McFeeley, otherwise known as David Newell, said he is honored to have been selected to participate in this year's festivities, and was surprised at how many people recognized him.

"The people were so friendly, and they all knew Mister Rogers Neighborhood," said Newell, who is director of public relations for Family Communications. "It's interesting. The adults were waving and so were the children, and their grandmothers were waving. It makes me feel good."

McFeeley was selected as the grand marshal because 2008 is the 40th anniversary of his participation in the late Mr. Rogers family-oriented program. He stood alongside Purple Panda on a float of King Friday's castle with a depiction of the famous trolley provided by Kennywood.

"It's his 40th year," Homestead Program Coordinator Denise Kelly said. That has to be recognized. That has to be celebrated."

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood continues to air in syndication on WQED.
This marks the 15th year that Kelly has coordinated the parade. She said it went well, but the weather had an impact on the turnout.

"If it wasn't for the cold, it would have been wonderful," Kelly said. "If the weather was better, every street would be lined up (with people). It's one of the coldest days of the year. It was a wonderful parade. We hope to make it bigger every year."

Homestead Mayor Betty Esper walked in the parade with her dog, and Munhall Mayor Raymond Bodnar also participated. Both said they thought it was a tremendous experience for them and the surrounding area.

"I think it's going very nice," Esper said. "this is a cold day and everybody's out and everybody's enjoying it."

"One of the greatest events of the whole year," Bodnar said. "We look forward to it every year, and it gets bigger and better for the Steel Valley. It's beautiful."

McFeeley participated in another community's parade last week, and headed to an event in downtown Pittsburgh shortly after the Steel Valley parade. He said his time in the Homestead area will be one of great memories.

"It makes you feel so good to be able to go to different neighborhoods in Pittsburgh," he said.

"This is great to go to another neighborhood, and they all equally know "The Neighborhood."

More than 100 groups, organizations, officials, businesses and other entities participated in this year's parade sponsored by United States Steel Corp. Among those featured along the parade route were Mon Valley Harley Owners Group, Steel Valley Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scout Pack 15, Homestead Park United Methodist Church, Steel Valley Council of governments and officials from the Carnegie Library of Homestead.

There were performances by the West Mifflin High School Band and the Steel Valley Show Steppers and other groups. The event concluded with pictures with Santa at Shop'n Save's parking lot.

Kelly announced the winners of the parade contest later that afternoon. There was a tie for best float with the Waterfront Christian Church under the direction of Larry Seigworth, and the Community of Crucified One in Homestead under the direction of Chris Haigs and Bishop Jonathan Stewart. They Split a $500 prize.

The Monroeville joyful Twirlers under the direction of Tracey Poach won for best marching group. The West Mifflin High School Marching Band under the direction of Devon Smeal won for best marching band. Tracey's Place along Eighth Avenue won for best decorated store front.

Earning honorable mention for decorated store front are Outer Skin, Waterfront embroidery, Penn Automotive and Computer Gooroo.

"We hope they all come back next year," Kelly said. "We really want to thank them. Things like parades and light-up nights give people hope."

The 2008 Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade

Best Christmas Parade in the Valley!

Don't forget the Best Christmas Parade in the Valley!

We need the Spirit of Christmas more today than ever before. Leave your troubles on the doorstep and come join us for a few hours of holiday spirit! The Historic Steel Valley Parade is this Saturday December 6th. Starting at noon there will be entertainment all along 8^th Avenue.

The parade route will be alive with entertainment from numerous local bands and marching units, floats, school groups, scouts, mini-cars and clowns greeting children of all ages. In celebration of the City of Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary, we are respectfully saluting our neighbors with participation from a few “true” Pittsburgher’s in this years Parade. The parade Grand Marshal, Mr.

McFeeley of Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood (who is celebrating his 40^th year of entertaining our children) will be joined by other local television personalities and dignitaries.

United States Steel Corporation is once again sponsoring the Valley’s premiere holiday event. The parade will start in West Homestead and move along 8^th Avenue to Shop N Save where Santa Claus will be available for photographs.

In the true ‘Steel Valley Spirit”, there will be a food drive to benefit local food pantry’s that serve our neighbors. You can help by bringing donations of canned goods, non-perishable items an toiletries to the Parade Reviewing Stand, located at the intersection of 8^th. Ave. and Ann Street. Other activities that will keep our spirits warm include:

· Holiday music before the Parade at the corner of 8^th and Ann Street

· Artist’s Holiday Market at the Artspace 105, hosted by the Steel Valley Arts Council. There will be free hot chocolate and cookies available.

· 8^th Ave. Place located at 101 E. 8^th will be serving coffee & cookies free of charge

· Walgreen’s will be selling coffee for five cents a cup and icees will be available for $1.00.

· Vendors will be selling their wares along the Avenue to add to the festive atmosphere.

So bundle up the children and join your neighbors for an hour of great entertainment, laughs and smiling faces …. a great way to kick off the Holiday season in the Valley! .