HO HO HO — Santa Claus waved to attendees at Steubenville’s Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade from his sleigh, provided by the Kessler family. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Representing businesses, nonprofits and more, nearly 80 units showed their holiday spirit during Steubenville’s annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade, Saturday.

Mascots, antique cars, floats and pets paraded south on Fourth Street, surrounded by a crowd of hundreds despite temperatures in the low 30s. Each organization sought to impress a three-person panel of judges, whose ranking of the top three floats and non-floats are expected to be announced next week.

Situated at Fourth and Market streets, the judges were City of Steubenville employees Francine Murphy, mayor and city manager’s office; Lisa Kennedy, wastewater department, and Renee Kemp, law director’s office. All three served as judges during last year’s parade.

Kemp said the judging criteria is “what we like and what’s the most Christmasy.”

The Tri-State Marine Corps Club color guard set the parade’s pace and was trailed by the Steubenville Fire Department and Mayor Jerry Barilla.

Following was the parade’s grand marshal, Roger Hilty, a retired Jefferson County Joint Vocational School teacher who’s given his time to the board of Friendship Park and Jefferson Kiwanis Youth Soccer Club. With Hilty was his wife, Linda, who’s been part of volunteer efforts at the Grand Theater and Beatty Park.

A small handful of units paused at the Market Street intersection to give the judges a special performance, including the Harding Middle School and Steubenville High School bands. Main Street Dance Company, Studio B and LeMasters Christian Martial Arts also gave holiday-themed demonstrations.

Frequently sighted among parade units was the Grinch, who even appeared in a much-anticipated float from Eastern Construction and Excavating Inc. Suspended from the arm of an excavator, the Grinch rode a steam-spitting “Grinch-a-pillar” — an upgrade from Eastern’s float last year, which had him swinging from a mid-air cage.

Many animals in the parade warmed the hearts of attendees, not to mention the judges. Adoptable dogs from the Jefferson County Humane Society greeted those they met, and horses from the Steubenville Saddle Club trotted down the street. Two lambs could even be spotted in the Cross Creek Tomahawks 4-H’s makeshift snow globe.

To close the event, Santa Claus rode through town in a sleigh provided by the Kessler family. Doug Kessler of Steel Valley Tank and Welding sponsored the parade in memory of his late wife, Betty Ann.

Longtime Steubenville Visitors Center volunteer Patrick McLaughlin said his favorite part of the parade is “watching the kids perform.

“That’s their New York moment,” he said. “And I think that goes for all of us. I think that’s why you get such a large crowd that comes down to see these kids participate.”

Roger Davis set up early with his wife and mother-in-law to see his daughter Olivia Davis, 12, dance with Main Street Dance Company, which is located in Wintersville. Also an avid wildlife photographer, Roger Davis has been photographing his daughter dancing in the parade for the past six years. He and his family always enjoy the show and make sure to stop at Yorgo’s Gyros and Potatoes while they’re downtown.

Richard and Susan Gardner of Weirton brought their granddaughters Ellie, 2, and Maria McGinnis, 4, to see the parade. The cold and wind may have proven too much for the young girls, but they did hope to see their older sister and parents walking with The Place for Dance.

Darla Brown and her daughter Scarlett, 8, traveled from Wellsburg to see the parade with their 18-year-old Dachshund, Caesar, who was wrapped in a blanket to keep warm.

The Browns often visit downtown Steubenville to see the Nutcracker Village. Scarlett Brown said her favorite nutcrackers are the football-related ones, specifically the Brooke County Schools Bruins nutcracker.