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We turn the calendar to November on Wednesday, and that's a sure sign that the spirit of the holiday season is ready to shine brightly in communities throughout the Tri-State Area.
On Nov. 18, for instance, Weirton will help kick off the holiday season with the Christmas on Main Street event. Scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in front of the Millsop Community Center, featuring ice skating, inflatables, miniature golf and train rides, as well as a variety of vendors, live entertainment and other activities, including lighting of the city's tree and fireworks.
Steubenville will help to welcome the holiday season on Nov. 21, when the annual Steubenville Lights up the Night event is held in Fort Steuben Park. The night features the opening of the holiday market at Fort Steuben Park and of the Steubenville Nutcracker Village throughout the downtown area. It includes the lighting of the city's Christmas tree and fireworks, and the officials opening of the sound and light show outside of the Jefferson County Courthouse.
More than 200 nutcrackers will be part of this year's display, which not only attracts visitors from across the region, but from around the country and many parts of the world.
Also on Nov. 21, Toronto will hold its annual light-up festivities at the downtown Gazebo.
Parades are a staple of the Christmas season, and this year's lineup opens on Nov. 24, when Wellsburg's annual event is held. Weirton's Christmas parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 25, and will include its traditional fireworks display.
On Dec. 2, Fourth Street in Downtown Steubenville will come alive with the annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas parade.
The Grand Theater, which just received a $1.5 million-boost for its ongoing renovation efforts, will be open for tours that day, and Beatty Park, another of Steubenville's historic gems, will be offer afternoon events including a live nativity, children's activities and Santa Claus -- all a part of Christmas in the Park.
Activities set for Dec. 3 in Steubenville will include the St. Nicholas Lantern Parade, which will travel from First Westminster Presbyterian Church on Fourth Street to the Nativity Creche in the Sanctuary Garden at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at the corner of Fourth and Adams streets.
The Wintersville Winter Weekend will return for its second year on Dec. 2-3 and feature vendors, other activities and luminaria lining Main Street. It includes the village's annual Christmas parade on Dec. 3.
These are just a few of the many events that will be held throughout the region during the next several weeks. They offer a chance for area residents to enjoy the company of one another and to share the camaraderie our region is known for. And, while we hope that you will find time to relax with friends and neighbors, we hope everyone will remember that the true spirit of the season goes beyond celebrations, parties and parades, and is something that should stay with each of us all year long.