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Wellsburg celebrates the season

Wellsburg ushered in the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade Friday. This year's theme was "Santa's Helpers." Surrounded by members of the Tri-State Young Marines and members of the Brooke Middle School Band were, from left, the Grinch; Deborah Puskarich, president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce; Pat Ford, grand marshal; and Eric Fithyan, parade chairman. -- Amy Neeley

WELLSBURG — Wellsburg welcomed in the holidays with the community’s annual Christmas parade Friday.

According to parade Chairman Eric Fithyan, this year’s parade is much larger than previous years.

“We have 100 units,” he said. “That is about 35 units more than last year. I think it has a lot to do with the beautiful weather. We have people from Beech Bottom all the way to the far end of Follansbee.”

Fithyan said this year’s theme is “Santa’s Helpers” and organizers really hoped to use the parade to bring attention to the many small businesses that make Brooke County special.

This year’s grand marshal was Pat Ford, the executive director of the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle.

He, along with the Grinch; Deborah Puskarich, president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce; and Fithyan, cut the ribbon to kick off the parade at 4 p.m.

The festivities were on Charles Street beginning at 27th Street. Following the parade, the city held an after-party in the town square.

Among the participants in this year’s parade were the marching bands from both Brooke High School and Brooke Middle School.

“I believe this may be the first parade for the middle school band,” Fithyan said.

The parade was led by flag carriers from the Tri-State Young Marines.

Other units featured the Brooke High School dance team; the Oglebay Festival of Lights; Ohio Valley Pride Festival; local fire departments and first responders; the Shriners; various local businesses, churches and dance groups.

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