The grand finale of Saturday’s Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade was the Easter Bunny in a Parkersburg fire engine ushering in the Spring season and Easter holiday. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

PARKERSBURG — The 14th annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade made its way down the bunny trail this Saturday afternoon to a celebratory crowd awaiting the holiday’s arrival.

Starting at 13th and Market Streets, this year’s theme of the Easter Parade was “Hopping Down the Bunny Trail.” In staying with the theme, Founder and Parade Organizer Kiki Angelos made it possible to have a live bunny in a stroller at the parade. The grand marshals of this year’s Easter Parade were the WVU Cheerleaders. Some of the cheerleaders as well as their coach are from the surrounding area, according to Angelos.

“(The Easter Parade) was very successful and we were very glad that the rain held off,” said Angelos. “People didn’t mind the cold, thankfully. We are also thrilled that there were so many participants. It gives us such satisfaction to see all the faces of the community come out to the parade.”

Angelos stated that the community involvement was larger than it has been in past years with new and different parade entries, as well as the Easter Bonnet and Hat contest.

Winners of the Easter Bonnet and Hat contest include:

Founder and Parade Organizer Kiki Angelos brought up the rear of the parade in an antique Parkersburg fire engine during Saturday’s Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

YOUTH WINNERS

* Sophia Leverett

* Alyssa Deaton

* Scarlet Mathess

ADULT WINNERS

Many residents from around the area came out Saturday afternoon to attend the 14th annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

* Carol Camp

* Nancy Nunley

Angelos hopes to include new additions to next year’s Easter Parade such as a Stations of the Cross portion along with including more community churches.

“It’s exciting to see the community come together for the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Angelos said. “And they also enjoy welcoming spring and Easter.”

Parade attendees welcomed the season and holiday in, despite the cold weather Saturday, as the closer to the parade, the Easter Bunny, rode on a Parkersburg Fire Department fire engine.

From left, Parkersburg mom Miriah with newborn Ashoka and dad Trey brought their two daughters Talla and Taleaya to the Easter Parade Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

“I want to thank my committee for helping put this wonderful parade together, the community for their support and enthusiasm, and the Mid-Ohio Valley participants and audience for coming out to enjoy the show,” said Angelos. “I have a wonderful committee that helps me. It makes a big difference. It gets better and better every year.”

The Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade float winners include:

COMMERCIAL FLOATS

* First Place: Downtown Hustle

* Gift Gallery

T&J Farms with their many horses won third place in the non-commercial float category at Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

* Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport

NON-COMMERCIAL FLOATS

* Black Diamond Girl Scouts of Wood County Service Unit

* Wood County Society

* T and J Farms

The Gift Gallery of Vienna won second place in the commercial float category at Saturday’s Easter Parade. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com