Stockdale ‘sparkles’ to usher in the holidays

The second annual event brought the small Washington County community together.

Friends and neighbors gathered in Stockdale for another successful Stockdale Sparkle holiday kick-off celebration Sunday night.

Tasha and Chad Philistine brought their 3-month-old daughter Oakley to Stockdale Sparkles and wore matching sweaters. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent

Santa is shown after flipping the switch to light the Stockdale Christmas tree. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent

Hundreds of local residents gathered around the Stockdale Borough Building to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree and to see the special guest, Santa Claus. Sherri Martin, a Stockdale council member and organizer of Stockdale Sparkle, said this year’s event was a success for them.

“Last year was such a big success, and the community really enjoyed it, so we thought we’ve got to do it again,” Martin said. “So we intend to do it every year, as long as the residents enjoy themselves.”

The evening included performances by Mon Valley Twirling Corps, a group of baton twirlers and dancers aged 5 to 18 years old, who were a new addition to the event.

The two other performances were presented by dancers from the Charleroi Dance Loft and the Charleroi Area High School Show Choir.

Santa Claus was escorted to the event by the Stockdale Fire Department. As Santa hopped off a fire truck, dozens of children gathered around to meet him.

Santa then approached the large Christmas tree beside the Stockdale Borough Building, counted down, and flipped a switch to light it. Families then formed a line that wrapped around the borough building to greet and take a picture with Santa inside.

Stockdale Sparkle was created after Brooke Henderson and, with help from her mom, Bethany Henderson, was inspired to bring a light up night to Stockdale after seeing others around the region. Brooke couldn’t make it to this year’s event, but her mom read a letter from her.

“Last year, I watched so many of you come out and support this event, and it showed me how powerful it is when people bring their hearts, time, and creativity to one shared goal,” said Brooke wrote. “This wasn’t just my idea, this became our project. From the volunteers who hung lights, to the families who donated decorations, to the borough team who said, ‘yes, let’s do this,’ to everyone who helped spread the word, this night belongs to all of us. I may be just one teenager with an idea, but all of you are the reason this idea turned into a tradition. And tonight is about celebrating that kindness, community, and that feeling you get when people come together for something joyful.”

Martin emphasized that it was a community effort and that she was thankful for everyone who came together.

“I’m just so appreciative of the group of people who work together to put this holiday kickoff together,” Martin said. “There’s a group of women, and we’re really lucky that we have such nice residents in town who enjoy one another and really want to do positive things in our neighborhood and to bring other community members in.”

Everyone was treated to free cookies and hot chocolate for everyone who attended. Right next door, Fox’s Pizza Den was open and decorated for the season.

Tasha and Chad Philistine, with their 3-monthold daughter Oakley, wore matching Christmas sweaters to celebrate the event. Tasha Philistine said they had just moved from Philadelphia to Stockdale.

“It’s her (Oakley) first Christmas, which makes it extra exciting,” Tasha Philistine said. “And we love dressing up. We have way too many Christmas sweaters. It’s good community outreach; it makes everybody feel connected and like a neighborhood family.”