GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT — Beech Bottom officials were transported by a float resembling a large gingerbread house during a parade on Charles Street Friday evening that was among holiday festivities held by the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — With the support and involvement of local businesses and others, the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce helped to ring in the holiday season with its Christmas parade and other events this weekend.

Friday evening’s frigid temperatures found many dressed in heavy coats, toboggans and scarves or huddled together on front porches as they watched the parade make its way down Charles Street.

Its units included the Brooke High School Marching Band and Dance Team, the Studio dance school, Osiris Shriners in a variety of vehicles, including a miniature train; and floats with themes ranging from fanciful life-size gingerbread houses to messages about the spiritual meaning of the holiday.

The event was sponsored by Main Street Bank, Cross Law Offices, WTOV-TV, Event Aesthetics, Assure America, Chambers and James Funeral Homes, Merco Marine, WesBanco, William E. Watson and Associates, Alex E. Paris Contracting and Cipoletti Plumbing.

Serving as grand marshal was Tammy Hornick, who has organized the Brooke-Hancock American Cancer Society Relay for Life for many years with her husband, Paul.

Asked what puts her in the mood for Christmas, Hornick replied, “Seeing snow fall and all of the Christmas lights.”

While awaiting the start of the procession, other attendees were asked the same question.

“Putting up my decorations,” said Dana Stoll, a fifth-grade teacher at Brooke Middle School, who added, “And getting my classroom ready, too. The kids are all excited when they come back from (Thanksgiving) break. It’s a magical time.”

Chris Fox of Weirton also cited weather as a factor in his Christmas mood.

“The little bit of flurries today was nice. And this,” he said, referring to the parade while adding the appearance of Santa is his favorite part of it.

Charlotte Swiger of Wellsburg expressed similar sentiments.

“The flurries definitely helped. The music and, of course, the Christmas parade is really the start of the season,” she said.

She was accompanied by Charena Campbell, also of Wellsburg, who said, “As soon as we see Santa, we’ll know it’s Christmas.”

And Santa and Mrs. Claus once again appeared on a large float to bring the parade to a close before venturing to the Town Square to meet with children.

Organized by Eric Fithyan, the parade was among a number of events planned for the weekend by the chamber this year.

The festivities started Friday morning at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall with a Christmas market, a new event in which more than 30 vendors offered an assortment of Christmas wreaths, ornaments and other decorations and other locally produced items.

Paige Hashman, who co-chaired the event with Monica “Mo” Rotellini-Myers, noted the event’s many booths offered a wide selection for those seeking unique gifts for their loved ones.

At a table near the hall’s entrance were posters and stickers encouraging visitors to “shop local.”

Myers said the event offered an opportunity to promote Small Business Saturday without competing with brick-and-mortar businesses that hoped to attract Christmas shoppers on Nov. 30.

The two said they may tweak the event for next year, with the possible additions of a coat or nonperishable food drive and the sale of food.

Among the many vendors was Terry Renforth of Wellsburg, who sold an assortment of toys and models he has made with a 3-D printer.

Renforth, a former video game store owner, said, “A friend of mine got me hooked on this about a year and a half ago.”

The toys ranged from cars, tanks and spaceships to monsters and superheroes in a variety of colors.

Renforth said their creation can take up to seven hours, depending on the size, and a more than two-foot-long dragon with a segmented body and tail is among his best sellers.

His companion, Helen Hugg, was selling wood-burned crosses, ornaments and boxes.

“These are our hobbies. We’re in it not to make a lot of money, just to make enough for our supplies to keep making them,” she said.

Nearby was Vicki Kester of G-Ma’s Jelly and Jams, who said nearly a dozen varieties of berries used in her products were grown on her New Cumberland farm.

“I try to pick enough berries to get me through a year. June, July and August I spend picking like crazy,” she said.

Kester said she had enjoyed gardening and canning for many years but didn’t start selling her jellies and jams until 2022 at the encouragement of her husband,

“I had such a supply, he said, ‘Sell some of this,'” she said.

Among the event’s visitors was Vickie Burek of Beech Bottom, who came with her husband, son-in-law and grandson.

“I just thought I’d see what they have,” said Burek, who added she was impressed by the tables full of merchandise.

Her son-in-law, Andy Dugas of Weirton, said he was looking forward to attending the parade for the first time with his 18-month-old son, Wayland.

“We’re going to give him the whole Christmas experience,” said Dugas.

A 5K run, slated for Saturday morning, also was planned by the chamber.