×

Holiday in the Park to light up in Parkersburg

File Photo The annual Holiday In the Park display includes a variety of lighted exhibits, including the traditional, the fantastic, the seasonal and more. This year’s display will run through the end of the year.

PARKERSBURG — The annual Holiday In the Park lights display at City Park in Parkersburg begins with a lighting ceremony Nov. 19 and will remain open through Dec. 31.

The ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the main City Park horseshoe pits where Santa Claus will be handing out candy canes.

The Holiday In the Park exhibit also includes several displays in Southwood Park off Blizzard Drive in south Parkersburg.

Volunteers began working in early November to set up the various displays, said Steve Cox, president of the Holiday in the Park organization.

A total of 70 to 80 displays will be featured this year, including ones by Holiday in the Park along with many more by different businesses, groups and organizations.

File Photo Santa Claus participates in last year’s Belpre Holiday Lights Parade on Washington Boulevard. This year’s parade will be 6 p.m. Nov. 26 in Belpre, with the lights beginning Nov. 24 and running through the end of the year.

Cox said there will be a few new exhibits including the character Olaf from “Frozen.”

The program features a coloring contest for children. Coloring sheets can be picked up and returned at all Wood County schools from for a chance to win a savings bond.

The opening ceremony will include Christmas carols from the Hamilton Middle School Choir, speeches by local dignitaries and recognition of past supporters.The Parkersburg Fire Department will have its antique fire truck and one of its modern trucks available following the ceremony to give rides through the park, Cox said.

The Henry Cooper Log Cabin Museum, operated by the Centennial Chapter of the Daughters of the American Pioneers, will be open after the ceremony for no charge from 6-8 p.m. Punch and cookies will be available.

Built in 1804, the cabin is one of Wood County’s oldest remaining homes and was moved from the Elizabeth Pike in Mineral Wells in 1901. The cabin will be decorated with live pine and decorations of the period.

Covered wagon rides by Hardly Able Carriage Co. will be available, weather permitting during the season.

The donation booth will be manned from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6-10 p.m. on Friday through Sunday during the holiday season. The lights will be on from 6-11 p.m. every day.

Letters to Santa Claus may be addressed and put in the drop box at the City Park Pavilion. Santa will be answering each letter. Donations will also be accepted to help with the displays.

Cox praised the efforts of all of the volunteers involved in Holiday in the Park each season and encouraged anyone interested in the program to become involved, especially younger volunteers.

“This stuff’s getting heavier for some reason,” laughed Cox, who has retired from the city of Parkersburg since last year’s display but remains active with Holiday in the Park.

In addition to Holiday in the Park, other upcoming holiday displays and activities in the area will include:

* The annual Belpre Holiday Lights Festival displays will begin on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, with more than 160 lighted pieces placed throughout the city of Belpre, along with Howes Grove, River Access and Civitan parks.

The Belpre Holiday Lights Festival will illuminate the city with holiday spirit between 6-11 p.m. every night through Jan. 2.

The annual Belpre Holiday Lights Parade will be 6 p.m. Nov. 26 on Washington Boulevard in Belpre. Lighted units will line up at Belpre High School at 5 p.m. and follow the route along Washington Boulevard to Civitan Park were Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children at the band shell.

* The third annual Williamstown Lighted Christmas Parade will be 7 p.m. Nov 26 in Williamstown, with lineup at 6 p.m. at Wood County Christian School.

This year’s theme is “It’s a White Christmas.” All floats, vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and other units must be lighted. The entry fee will be donations of non-perishable food and household items for the Williamstown Food Pantry. Parade applications are available at the Williamstown City Building.

* In Marietta, the 2016 Merry-Etta Lighted Christmas Parade will be 6 p.m. Nov. 26 in downtown Marietta, followed by the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Armory Square.

The parade will begin at Third and Ohio streets and follow the route along Ohio Street, Second Street, Greene Street, Putnam Street and Second Street, ending at Second and Butler streets.

* The annual Beverly-Waterford Christmas Parade and Dodge Park Lighting Ceremony will be Nov. 27 in Beverly and Waterford.

The parade will form at 4:30 p.m. in the Waterford High School parking lot and begin at 5:30 p.m., following Main Street, Ohio 339 and Ohio 60 to Dodge Park in Beverly where the lighting ceremony will be held. The ceremony will include seasonal entertainment and free refreshments.

* Barlow-area residents, businesses and organizations will hold their 11th annual Christmas in the Village program on Dec. 3 with activities and vendors at various locations in Barlow, Bartlett, Little Hocking, Cutler, Porterfield, Veto and Vincent. More information is available online at barlowchristmas.com.

* In Vienna, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in the parking lot of the Vienna Community Building in Jackson Memorial Park.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today