Greenfield Holiday Parade will keep its name after concern over inclusivity
PITTSBURGH —
Organizers of the Greenfield Holiday Parade said the event will keep its traditional name this year.
The inclusivity of the event came into question a few days ago when the Greenfield Community Association shared a statement on social media. The GCA said the Greenfield Community Club and the Greenfield Baseball Association filed for a permit for the 2026 parade.
The GCA, which organized the parade for more than a decade, said the permit was filed for the “Greenfield Christmas Parade,” instead of the “Greenfield Holiday Parade,” as it’s traditionally been called.
“We are concerned that this event, historically a holiday parade designed to include people of all faiths and backgrounds, has been specifically registered as a Christmas parade,” the organization said. “We ask the GCC and GBA to restore the traditional name — the Greenfield Holiday Parade — and ensure that this event remains a true celebration of all of our neighbors.”
Christina Popojas, the lead organizer of the Greenfield Holiday Parade, acknowledged the name change was a “mistake.”
“We accept everybody. We want everybody in the community. No matter their religion, no matter, you know, what they want to do and what their plans are with life. We want them to be involved,” Christina Popojas told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Reporter Jordan Cioppa.
Popojas said this year will be no different.
“We want to build on it every year and make it bigger. And we want everybody to participate,” Popojas said.
Popojas, who has worked with GCA the past several years, said the organization president was not responsive during the planning process, so she went ahead and filed the permit in conjunction with GCC and GBA.
“Leading it for so many years, I just have seen some discrepancies just along the way that I’m just trying to fix,” Popojas said. “And I had even had a very honest conversation with them about some things that needed changed, and they just didn’t want to change.”
The parade was started in 1993 by the late Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, when he was on city council. It was known then as the “Greenfield Holiday Lights Parade.”
While the current name is slightly different, Popojas said it’s meant to keep that tradition alive.
“We want to honor that legacy and, you know, we just want to put 110% into this,” Popojas said.
Terrell Robinson, the owner assistant at Rialto Pizza in Greenfield, said he was proud of the community for keeping the event inclusive.
“We want all families, all walks of life, to be welcome to our community to celebrate this holiday. I think it’s great. It’s also showing the growth and diversity in our community,” Robinson said.
Pittsburgh City Councilmember Barb Warwick shared a statement with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
“The Greenfield Holiday Parade was founded by Mayor Bob O’Connor while he was on City Council. It has always been a fun and an inclusive event that welcomes families of all backgrounds and faiths. My hope is that, no matter who is organizing, that commitment continues. Greenfield is a growing and diverse community where we make room for everyone. It’s why my family and I are so proud to call it home.”
The parade is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2026.