`Twinkling lights, fireworks herald start of yule season`

RELATED STORY:Fireworks light up skies, spark fire atop The Winner

By Jennifer Hall
Herald Staff Writer

White lights twinkled in the trees lining State Street in Sharon as the street filled with people welcoming the Christmas season Thursday night.

Crystal Ruhlman of Mercer waited all day to see the lights.

``I like the lights,'' the 6-year-old said. ``They're pretty.''

The Ruhlman family _ all decked out in red and green _ made a day of Light Up Night first by going out for dinner and then by hitting the streets to take part in the third annual event to kick off the holiday season.

``We come down to see family and friends,'' Crystal's mother, Laurie, said. ``We bring the family and celebrate the start of Christmas.''

Mary Refi and Maruela Rhinos, both of Hermitage, ventured out for Light Up Night for the first time. The pair had gone to see some of the choral groups singing at the churches before taking to the streets. Mrs. Refi said she had never expected to see so many people. Sharon police estimated the crowd at about 5,000.

Revelers commented that a warmer evening than last year made festivities nicer. The thermometer never dropped below 40 degrees Thursday night.

Some people tailgated while others patronized the restaurants and downtown vendors. Parents waited with their children for face painting.

A mass choir of community singers, accompanied by a band composed of various high school students, led the crowd in Christmas carols.

Ten runners carried a torch from the Mercer County Courthouse to Veterans Park where a cherub holding a torch was lighted.

Fireworks, sponsored by the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce, concluded the festivities.

Toni Williams brought her son, Jack, to ``the place to be'' to see the fireworks and lights. ``We come every year,'' 12-year-old Jack said. ``I see all my friends. We see a lot of people we know.''

RELATED STORY:Fireworks light up skies, spark fire atop The Winner

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Updated Nov. 21, 1997
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