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Wellsburg plans Christmas parade for Friday afternoon

Members of Brooke High School Madrigal Choir will display talent at singing a capella when they perform in the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, of which they are grand marshals. With the group and its director, Celesta Byard, is Eric Fithyan, parade chairman — Contributed

WELLSBURG — A Wellsburg holiday tradition will continue when the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce holds its Christmas parade at 4 p.m. on Friday.

This year the Brooke High School Madrigal Choir will serve as grand marshal.

Dressed in costumes inspired by the Middle Ages, the choir is known for its skill at performing music from various eras without instrumental accompaniment.

Led for years by Rick Taylor and later by his son, Nick, the group has been invited over the years to perform for the 50th anniversary of V-E Day in Europe, Memorial Day observances in Washington, D.C., and other special events.

Last year, Celesta Byard became its director and led it through many appearances as well as its annual Madrigal Feast.

Combining entertainment by the choir and a Medieval-style meal, the event will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 9-10 at the school. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by calling (304) 527-1410, extension 3715.

Prepared by Chef Rocco Basil, the menu will include pork loin, stuffed chicken breast, herb roasted potatoes, candied carrots, bread and a desert to be announced.

Byard noted the choir also will appear at West Liberty University’s Holiday Card to Wheeling on Dec. 4 and the Wheeling Symphony on Ice on Dec. 6.

The choir is raising money to compete in Williamsburg, Va.’s, Heritage Fest in April.

Parade chairman Eric Fithyan is familiar with the choir, having performed in it during some of his years at Brooke High School.

“It’s nice to bring attention to this small, but talented, facet of the high school,” he said.

Fithyan said the choir will perform during the parade and offer a few songs for the light-up on the Town Square afterward.

Santa Claus will be on hand to meet with children, and parents are welcome to take photos.

Fithyan said the parade will include about 100 units, including marching bands from Brooke High School and Follansbee and Wellsburg middle schools and several area dance schools, floats sponsored by local businesses, emergency vehicles and others.

Serving as sponsors for the parade are Main Street Bank; Eagle Manufacturing; Reasner of Wellsburg; Sunoco Logistics; Mullenbach Funeral Home; First National Bank; Bill Garvey State Farm Insurance; WOGH-FM; WesBanco, Watson and Associates; the Basil Center for Complete Dental Care; Traubert’s Pharmacy; Wellsburg Tire and Collision; Fahey-Leavitt Insurance Agency; and Nationwide Insurance.

The units will line up at 3 p.m. at 22nd and Charles streets and proceed south on Charles Street to the Town Square.

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