The City of Hermitage is getting ready for the holiday season with a parade scheduled this weekend.

City officials say their official tree is already in place at the roundabout, where East State Street meets the Shenango Valley Freeway.

The Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union donated the blue spruce from their new Hermitage office construction site.

Bruce Campbell Construction crews cut down the tree, using a crane to put it in place.

"Now the whole community can enjoy it." Can't wait to see it adorned with twinkling lights,” said Credit Union CEO Sandi Carangi.

City officials say the tree will be illuminated just in time for the Holiday Light Parade this weekend.

The 25th Annual Hermitage Holiday Light Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 18.

Fireworks will begin at 5:40 p.m. and a foot race “Merry Christmas Mile”- begins at 5:50 p.m. The parade will step off at 6:00 p.m.

Most of the affected roadways will be closed at about 5:15 p.m. or earlier. Some of the side roads will begin to close around 4:30 p.m.

The following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic:

  • East State St. between Buhl Farm Dr. and the Shenango Valley Freeway (SR 62)
  • North and South Hermitage Rd. (SR 18) between Highland Rd and the Shenango Valley Freeway (SR 62)
  • All side roads to East State St. from Highland Rd. and the Shenango Valley Freeway (SR 62) between Buhl Farm Dr. and the Shenango Valley Freeway (Sr 62)

All traffic in these areas will be congested and drivers will have to use alternative routes, anticipating delays.

Traffic at the Shenango Valley Mall and the Hermitage Towne Plaza will also be congested.

The parade will start from the area of the Hermitage Towne Plaza (North Kerrwood Drive) and travel east on East State Street to North Hermitage Road (SR 18). The parade will then travel north on North Hermitage Road (SR 18) and finish near the Shenango Valley Mall at Indian Run.

Detour routes include Highland Road, Buhl Farm Drive, Shenango Valley Freeway, Lamor Road, and East State Street (SR 62) between the mall and North Keel Ridge Road.

Drivers are asked to travel slowly and cautiously as heavy pedestrian traffic–including many children–will be in the area immediately before, during, and after the parade.