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No, we haven’t missed Halloween, but Christmas is right around the corner.
That couldn’t be more evident than when you drive along Main Street in Weirton and see the city’s two large trees on display in preparation of the winter holiday.
City crews put up the trees - one in front of the Millsop Community Center and one at the corner of Main and Pennsylvania Avenue - in recent days, with decorations surely on their way.
I’m sure there are going to be rude comments made about this, just as there were last year. I, too, personally prefer to not have any signs of Christmas until we are officially out of spooky season, but the apparent early decorating does have a practical reason.
The city employees tasked with putting up these decorations, which include the two city-owned trees and holiday banners, do so in addition to their regular workload. And, they’re doing it on a deadline. While many of us may not put up our trees until after Thanksgiving, or maybe even early December, these festive trimmings must be in place and tested in time for the Christmas on Main Street celebration on Nov. 21.
It would be terrible if they would go to light the tree at the end of the event, only for nothing to work, wouldn’t it?
Keep in mind, the city crews also assist the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce with the installation of the lighting displays owned and managed by the chamber. These include the lights which go on the poles along Main Street and the large display on Three Springs Drive.
All together, that’s a lot of extra work, and, realistically, not a whole lot of time to get it done.
So, yes, it can be a little jarring to see a Christmas tree set up in the middle of October, but, unless you’re willing to volunteer your time to help with the setup, maybe we can all lay off the attitude this year, and thank those who are doing the work.
The reality is, planning for our local holiday celebrations takes a lot of work, with much of it done months in advance.
Our communities have various celebrations, each of different sizes and scales. Christmas on Main Street has quickly become one of the largest in Hancock and Brooke counties, transforming from an hour-long light-up event in Weirton’s north end to a full afternoon and early evening of entertainment, vendors, rides, and much more. It will be held Nov. 21, beginning at 1 p.m.
It’s not the only holiday celebration set for that day, though, as the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce has planned for the Wellsburg Christmas Parade to begin at 10 a.m.
The parade will take place along a portion of Charles Street, ending at the Town Square, with chamber officials promising appearances by two local marching bands, some professional floats, and more. A children’s area, including an appearance by Santa Claus, will be available at the Town Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Weirton’s Christmas parade is set for the following weekend - Nov. 28. It features a theme of "A Magical, Mixed-up Christmas," in tribute to the mixed up traffic patterns taking place this year because of all of the local road construction. Leaning into the idea, the chamber is encouraging those taking part to find whatever fun theme they can think up, including incorporating aspects of other holidays. So, for those who might not have gotten enough Halloween, here’s your chance.
Follansbee already had its Christmas in the Park event, but the city isn’t quite finished. There are plans for a light-up event on Dec. 4, beginning with a short parade at 5 p.m. and the light-up itself at 6 p.m. More details will be available closer to the event.
New Cumberland has its plans in place, as well, and will be celebrating "A Star Spangled Christmas" with its parade on Dec. 12. Lineup will begin at 4 p.m., and the parade will step off at 5 p.m. Organizers wanted to incorporate this year’s semiquincentennial celebration, so expect some red, white, and blue, along with the traditional red and green of the season.
Yes, we still have another week before Halloween is officially here, and all of the trick-or-treating that goes with it, but Christmas will be here before you know it.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is part of the news staff of The Weirton Daily Times. He can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)