Graham Walker sat stoically in the Sewickley Public Library surrounded by balloons, marshmallow snowmen and inflatable reindeer antlers.
The Sewickley teen was focused and determined as he dared not jingle a single bell stacked on a popsicle stick.
He walked out a victor in one of the many games taking place at the annual Light Up Night celebration in the borough Dec. 6.
“We just started,” Graham said of his holiday experience. “It’s fun.”
Richelle Klug, head of communications for the library, said dozens of families participated in festive activities from reindeer ring toss to making ornaments in the Children’s Department to seeing how high someone could stack marshmallows.
“It’s been phenomenal,” Klug said. “Lots of people have come through already. We’ve got five different games going on and everyone is a winner, so everyone is leaving happy. We love being a part of Light Up Night. It is a great chance for people that don’t normally come to the library to be introduced to us.
“We love showing off the things that we do, especially our crafts for kids. It’s a really nice opportunity. We’ve been doing it for years and years. It is one of our favorite programs out of the entire year. Last year, I think we had 700 people come through our doors just in two hours.”
The Sweet Harmony Strings performed holiday classics in the library’s reference department.
The library closed at 8 p.m., just in time for staffers and volunteers to check out the fireworks and enjoy the rest of their evening. Light Up Night went until 9 p.m.
There were thousands of revelers from the Quaker Valley area and beyond, including Kate McFarland of Robinson, who brought her son Gavin, 7, and daughter Joella, 5, to get into the holiday spirit.
“They’re having fun. It’s great,” McFarland said.
McFarland also brought her family in support of her niece Marietta Marchetti, 5, of Leet’s Fair Oaks neighborhood.
The young girl was part of PA Academy of Dance, one of several dance groups that performed.
Marietta’s father, Mike, said he was proud of his girl’s artistic pursuits.
“It’s simply the best thing ever,” Marchetti said. “Regardless of whether she danced or not, it’s my girl doing her thing. She’s happy as a clam. This is just an organized version of what she wants to do all the time — dance around and have fun.”
His other daughter, Amelia, 11, said she loved having hot chocolate and seeing the Grinch.
Other activities included a walk-in snow globe photo booth, a Santa hotline for children to reach the jolly man’s helpers, costumed characters, ice sculptures, caricature artists and photos with Santa at the gazebo at Wolcott Park.
Families were roasting marshmallows and making s’mores outside the Sewickley Eye Group and RE/MAX Select Realty building across from the main stage along Broad Street.
Horse and carriage rides around the Sewickley Village area were a big hit for Gary and Jessica Cutenese and their daughter, Maddisyn.
It was the first time the Shaler family made the trek to Sewickley’s Light Up Night.
“It’s very nice,” Jessica Cutenese said. “It was a nice ride. It’s a beautiful setup in front of the municipal building with the luminaries. (We traveled) for some holiday fun.”
Gary Cutenese said the mix of performances, business activities, decorations and fireworks was exactly what his family was hoping to see.
“We really like these type of events,” he said. “The holiday lights, the storefronts, the hot chocolate, the rides. It’s nice.”
The evening’s live entertainment included Sweetwater Cottage Band, Part-time Cowboys, Madam JoJo’s Band and Dancing Machine, America’s No. 1 tribute to the Jacksons.
Julie Barnes, Sewickley Council vice president and Light Up Night committee co-chair, said her team worked for months organizing a memorable evening.
She credited Bridgett Bates, fellow councilwoman and committee co-chair, with tackling the bulk of the work.
“Our goal is always to make a fun event for our local community,” said Barnes. “Bates stepped up this year as the co-chairperson for the committee and took on a lot of responsibility. She has been a rock star for organizing this event tonight.
“It seems like it’s comfortable. It’s not too crowded. It’s not too cold. It’s colder than the past few years, but a lot of people still came out. It’s really fun tonight. … I love to see the families come together to celebrate their kids on the youth stage.”
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Food trucks were stationed in the Green Street parking lot to make room for more people on the main streets.
There was a holiday pop-up bar in the Sewickley Quarter.
Barnes said it was not an official part of Light Up Night, but it added to the atmosphere.
“There are a lot of businesses and nonprofits who have their own private things happening, and that adds to the fun of it,” she said. “It’s a great night for showcasing our businesses.”