Photo by Renee Rosensteel
Colonel Eagleburger’s Good Time Marching Band and the Salvation Army Band performed during the festival.

By Alyse Horn

On December 21, the first Manchester Winter Festival was held at the Manchester Elementary School.

Lisa Freeman, the event organizer and chairman for the event, said that about 200 children showed up to celebrate the holiday season in ages ranging from newborns to teenagers.

Colonel Eagleburger’s Good Time Marching Band and the Salvation Army Band provided entertainment. Scout Troop #281 and The North Side Steelers City Champion city league football team were also in attendance.

Freeman said the main reason for holding the event was for the opportunity to bring community members together.

“There was a lot of participation from groups who don’t usually collide, and that was the most heartwarming thing that happened,” Freeman said. “[The festival] brought a lot of people together.”

The event was going to be held outside in the community garden on the corner of Juniata and Fulton streets, but a constant rain throughout the day pushed the event inside.

Although the weather prevented a lot of activities, it didn’t dampen the mood and Freeman said the planning committee for the event want to have it again next year.

“Everybody from different backgrounds, races and religions came together [to celebrate],” Freeman said. “The children were happy, there were no incidents, and the reputation of the Northside being dangerous was dispelled.”

 Photos by Renee Rosensteel