Weirton parade brings new Christmas memories
Richard Bubin, of Pittsburgh-based Ice Creations, carves out the shape of a reindeer Saturday prior to the Weirton Christmas Parade. In addition to the live demonstration, Ice Creations also placed 12 ice sculptures in front of the Millsop Community Center, which were sponsored by area businesses. -- Craig Howell
Dennis Jones, president of the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, looks out at the crowd lining Main Street during Saturday's Weirton Christmas Parade. The museum — represented by Jones and members of its board of directors — was named the parade's grand marshal. -- Craig Howell
Santa Claus waves to the crowd at the conclusion of the Weirton Christmas Parade Saturday. The parade is organized each year by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce. -- Craig Howell
Richard Bubin, of Pittsburgh-based Ice Creations, carves out the shape of a reindeer Saturday prior to the Weirton Christmas Parade. In addition to the live demonstration, Ice Creations also placed 12 ice sculptures in front of the Millsop Community Center, which were sponsored by area businesses. -- Craig Howell
Dennis Jones, president of the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, looks out at the crowd lining Main Street during Saturday's Weirton Christmas Parade. The museum — represented by Jones and members of its board of directors — was named the parade's grand marshal. -- Craig Howell
Santa Claus waves to the crowd at the conclusion of the Weirton Christmas Parade Saturday. The parade is organized each year by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce. -- Craig Howell
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WEIRTON -- Area residents lined the city’s Main Street Saturday evening, celebrating the season and making new memories with the Weirton Christmas Parade.
“Our theme was ‘Christmas Memories,'” Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce. President Brenda Mull explained, noting the Christmas parade has, for years, been a focal point of Weirton’s holiday celebrations. “It should make us all stop and think about our memories.”
The chamber organizes each year’s parade, with support from the local business community. This year’s parade sponsors were West Liberty University, Nick’s Auto, Weirton Medical Center, West Virginia Northern Community College, Hawkins Hearing and First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union.
This year’s grand marshal was the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, represented by President Dennis Jones and members of the museum board.
Jones expressed his appreciation for the honor, saying he believes it is good for the community when the various groups and businesses work together for the benefit of Weirton.
“I think it’s great the relationship has with the chamber of commerce, and with the City of Weirton through Renaissance Weirton,” Jones said. “It’s good to involve all parties that contribute to Weirton.”
Jones noted the museum and chamber have worked together on a postcard program, featuring scenes from Weirton’s holidays past.
He said it is another opportunity to showcase the city’s history and heritage.
The evening concluded with a fireworks display, visible above the Millsop Community Center. The display was made possible with support from Nick’s Auto, A.V. Lauttamus Communications, Med-Express, First Energy and Hancock County Savings Bank.
“It’s a memory worth making and a memory worth keeping,” Mull said, thanking the sponsors and residents for their support.
In addition to the parade, the afternoon included a live ice sculpting demonstration, performed by Ice Creations of Pittsburgh and sponsored by Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, in front of the Millsop Community Center. Twelve smaller ice sculptures, sponsored by area businesses, lined the area for visitors to view.
Inside the community center, residents could vote for their favorite Christmas tree, with several decorated by local organizations, up for display in the Weirton Room. A group of bounce houses were available for youth inside the center’s gymnasium.
The Summit Art Gallery also opened its doors, inviting residents to view its exhibits.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)