Published Wednesday, November 20, 2002
By Sherris Moreira-Byers
Herald Staff Writer
Though people in the valley and across the nation are asked not to light up during the Great American Smoke-Out Thursday, the city of Hermitage is asking residents to light up Saturday evening. Just in a different way.
The fifth annual Hermitage Holiday Light Parade will light up the night in the city and residents and businesses are asked to do the same with Christmas lights and decorations. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at the intersection of East State Street and Kerrwood Drive behind Hermitage Towne Plaza and will head down State Street toward state Route 18. It will end on Route 18 between the Shenango Valley Mall and Hermitage Middle School.
New this year will be a parade grand marshal, in recognition of a Hermitage resident who is a positive example of community involvement. Daniel Leali, Sr., of 3795 Longview Road was chosen after the parade committee advertised and accepted nominations for the honor.
Leali is president of Leali Brothers Excavating, Inc., of Hermitage, and Tiger Sales, Inc., of Sharon. He is being recognized by the city for his donations to Hickory High School's athletic program and Hickory Baseball Boosters organization. He has also donated labor and materials to the construction of Rodney White Olympic Park and Hermitage Parks and Recreation Department.
Others to be honored during the event will be students with the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Shenango. These 30 junior parade marshals are from high schools throughout the valley, including West Middlesex, Sharon, Hickory, Kennedy Catholic, Mercer and Sharpsville. They will pass out bags to children near the beginning of the parade line.
Seniors from Hickory and Kennedy Catholic also will help keep little ones safe during the night-time parade and help keep things running smoothly by patrolling the sides of the road along the parade path. They will be clearly marked with vests and hats, and will encourage children to stay out of the path of parade entrants. Some seniors will earn credit for high school community service projects by participating.
At least 70 entrants, including more than 30 floats, will be part of the festivities. Cash awards of $200, $150 and $100, will be given to floats created by non-profit groups, school groups and music/entertainment groups. Four honorable mention prizes of $75 will also be awarded.
Prize plates will also be awarded to corporate-sponsored floats, municipal-sponsored floats, family sponsored-floats and community-sponsored floats.
Special recognition will go to the float with the brightest lights, the most holiday spirit, the most creative and unique, and the most entertaining, along with three "Judges' Choice" awards for the creative combining of lights and holiday spirit.
An awards ceremony will take place in Hermitage Middle School gymnasium at 8 p.m., following the parade.
Parade committee co-chairs are Joan Andrusky of Frederick Drive in Farrell and Rex Knisley of Marylane Drive in Hermitage. Ms. Andrusky is a member of Hermitage Business Association and Mr. Knisley is a member of Hermitage Community Affairs, which is a part of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call (724) 983-0900.