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PARKERSBURG - Local fire officials are planning a parade to spread fire awareness and strengthen the alliance among area fire departments.

"The parade is meant to unite communities from all over this region and spread fire prevention awareness," said Parkersburg fire Chief Eric Chichester. "And it will allow the communties to see just how many people are involved in these agencies."

The Ohio River Valley Firefighters Regional Fire Prevention Parade will he held Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. It will start at Bicentennial Park near the City Building and make a loop through downtown Parkersburg. The parade will then continue across the Belpre Bridge and make its way into Belpre and up Washington Boulevard, where it will end at Civitan Park.

The first fire prevention parade in the area was held last year, connecting the cities of Williamstown and Marietta.

"We wanted to unite Wood County and Washington County," said Paul Jordan, vice president of the Wood County Fire Fighters Association. "Last year we had the parade north of us, and this year we'll have it down here. We plan on alternating between locations every year."

More than 70 fire trucks, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles participated in the parade last year, and Jordan said he hopes the turnout will be the same this year.

Fire departments from the Wood County Fire Fighters Association, including Vienna, Williamstown, Lubeck, Pond Creek, Waverly, Mineral Wells, Eastwood and Washington Bottom, came together last year to make the parade a success. Departments from as far as Charleston and Pennsboro also attended, said Jordan.

"It was wonderfully attended. Fire trucks were everywhere; it was amazing," he said. "And this year we have high hopes. It's just a great way to bring communities together and allow fire officials to interact with people."

Jordan said fire officials in the Mid-Ohio Valley had talked about planning some sort of fire prevention parade or festival in previous years.

"I always said I'd love to see a nighttime parade. With all the lights from the trucks and vehicles shining at dusk, making their way across the Belpre Bridge, it will be something to see," said Jordan.