Good weather brought out the throngs to Saturday’s Hermitage Holiday Light parade. City officials estimated 22,000 to 24,000 — believed to be a record for the 12th annual parade — lined East State Street to watch colorful floats, high school bands and Santa Claus march by. Usually, the parade attracts about 15,000.
Here are the award winners among the parade entries:
•Nonprofit — American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Lori’s Angels, first; YMCA, second; Kedron Lodge #389/Farrell OES 156, third; Grace Chapel Community Church, fourth; and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, honorable mention.
•School — Hopscotch Preschool, first, Notre Dame School, second; and Tender Care Learning Center, third.
•Bands — Reynolds High School, first; and Kennedy Catholic High School, second.
•Entertainment — Sensations Baton Corps, first; and Twirling Angels, second
These Iceberg Awards were given:
•Corporate A, for over 30 feet in length — First National Bank, first; PNC Bank, second; and Lowes, third.
•Corporate B, under 30 feet in length — Cattron, first; Home Depot, second; and Scott’s Furniture, third.
•Municipal, local and county officials/fire departments — Hermitage Volunteer Fire Department, first; US Army Reserves 347th Quartermaster Co., second; Clark Volunteer Fire Department, third; and New Wilmington and South Pymatuning volunteer fire departments, honorable mentions.
•Community — Augie Staunch for his antique car.
These special recognition awards were handed out:
•Twinkle Award, presented to the entry with the brightest lights — First National Bank.
•Santa's Choice, presented to the entry exhibiting the most holiday spirit — Kedron Lodge #389/Farrell OES 156.
•Most Unique, presented to the entry demonstrating a creative and unique float design — American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Lori’s Angels.
•Most Entertaining, presented to the entry with the best holiday music or entertainment theme — Grace Chapel Community Church.
•William Scanlon Judges Award — Neshannock Alliance Church.
•Judges’ Choice, presented as the judges’ choice for special recognition to entries that creatively combined bright lights and holiday spirit — Twirling Angels, Sensations Baton Corps, Flynn's Tire & Auto, Wallace & Pancher, Sharon Fire Department and TJ Maxx.
