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Rain Dampens FC Festival, But Not the Activities

“All Aboard the Polar Express” was the theme of this year’s Festival of Lights in Ford City. Passengers rode a miniature train down from a makeshift depot on Fourth Avenue, down Ford Street and back to the depot.

by David Croyle

Drizzle during Saturday afternoon’s Festival of Lights in Ford City may have affected the crowd, but didn’t dampen the holiday spirit in those who participated.

Sheri Humanik from Manor Township brought her 3-year-old daughter, Angelina, to the Festival of Lights and found it enjoyable.

Angelina Humanik, 3, sits on Santa’s knee at the start of last Saturday’s Festival of Lights in Ford City. Santa would not tell what she whispered to him.

“It’s wonderful! We come every year. It’s a big treat to see Santa. And this year it was especially nice because there was a train and we rode the train – we were the first one for that and the first one to see Santa. It is such a joy. We run into her friends and other people and everyone is so nice. We have cookies and treats and a big ‘Ho-Ho-Ho’ from Santa.”

The Festival of Lights, dubbed “All Aboard the Polar Express” as the theme, was complete with vendors and stage shows.

A magic show wowed the adults as well as the kids. Dan Kuniak from Tarentum did the proverbial “pulling a rabbit out of the hat” illusion.

“Today’s show was our family show for the Ford City folks. It’s an audience participation, comedy-type of show, which ends up with a star, which is the rabbit. This is what we do full time. Most of the work we do is educational in schools but we get a chance to come out and do stage-type of shows for kids.”

Kuniak shared the stage with local vocalists and musicians including Paul Wright singing “Believe,” Madison Kunst, Anna Oberneder, and students from Claire Osborne’s music class.

Ross Heilman rode a full size camel with 9-year-old Tristan Bowser at Saturday’s Festival of Lights in Ford City.

A train rode passengers throughout Fourth Avenue and Ford Street throughout the late afternoon. There were live interactive camels and reindeer at Ford City Hose Co. #1, free fire truck rides, an ice-sculpting demonstration, and an indoor crafter village that showed off great crafts and home-based businesses as well as baked goods benefiting non-profit organizations, and AHS River Hawks Conference Championship shirts. There were also free horse and carriage rides along Fifth Avenue.

Santa and helpers provided photo opportunities for children at S&T Bank as well as special treats.