10 Weird And Wacky Holiday Traditions You'll Only Get If You're From Pittsburgh
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
We’re right in the middle of a lively holiday season here in the Burgh. And that, of course, means we’re taking part in all of the amazing holiday traditions in Pittsburgh. Some may call those traditions weird or wacky. But, we beg to differ. They’re part of what makes Pittsburgh so special.
Pittsburgh does things its own way. Proof? While the rest of the country watches the ball drop at the stroke of midnight on New Year's, we watch it go up. The reason is pretty cool, too. The ball going up signifies moving forward and prosperity in the new year.
We'll do what it takes to bring prosperity to us and to our city in the new year. And, that means eating the celebrated New Year's pretzel. Supposed to bring us good luck in the coming year, the scrumptious New Year's pretzel is typically eaten right at midnight or before the first meal of New Year's Day.
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We know the holiday season has arrived when Eat 'N Park's classic Christmas commercial starts airing. The 30 second spot has been playing on our TVs since 1982. How many of you get a little misty-eyed when the tree bends down to pick up the struggling star?
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What's one of the very best parts of the holiday season in Pittsburgh? The delicious food! And that includes the goodies. Like pizelles, a treasured Pittsburgh tradition.
No matter how brutally cold it gets, we will stand in line for the Kangaroo at Kennywood during the holiday season. Kennywood glows in holiday lights every November and December, making it a new favorite tradition of Pittsburghers. We can ride select rides like the paratrooper, meet Santa, sing Christmas carols, and eat some of that delicious Kennywood food.
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Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to PPG Place's ice rink. Santa even visits - and skates at - the ice rink at scheduled times during the holiday season.
The Nationality Rooms at The University of Pittsburgh allow us to travel the world without leaving Oakland. See how other countries - Italy, Finland, and Germany, for example - celebrate Christmas when you tour the Nationality Rooms.
How often do you pass vendors selling Christmas flowers on the side of the road? Or in the parking lot of a shopping center? It's not just a Christmas thing either. They're usually selling flowers on Easter and Mother's Day, too. It's kind of comforting to know, isn't it, that if we've forgotten someone on our list we can simply pick up a bouquet of beautiful flowers?
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It's no secret that Pittsburghers have huge hearts. That fact is just reiterated by the countless Angel trees - in libraries, restaurants, and stores - filled with paper ornaments decorated with little ones' Christmas wishes. Pittsburghers become secret Santas, making Christmas a little merrier for those less fortunate than us.
Who else drives around local neighborhoods to admire the holiday lights and displays? Which community has your favorites?
What are your favorite holiday traditions in Pittsburgh? Share below! Then, click here to read about a long-held New Year’s Day tradition in Pennsylvania.
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