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Steubenville celebrates the season with parade

STEUBENVILLE — A couple thousand people lined Fourth Street in downtown Steubenville to watch the 2016 Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade: Nutcracker Magic sponsored by Eastern Gateway Community College.

The crowd seemed small five minutes before the start of the parade but it quickly grew as people put on warm clothes to battle the cold temperature.

Historic Fort Steuben Visitors Center Director Judy Bratten said 85 units, including six bands, entertained the crowd during the hour-long parade.

Jimmie Bruce, EGCC president, said he was proud the college is the sponsor of the parade.

“It is a good connection to the community. We are happy to be doing something to bring people together, especially at Christmas. We are happy to be able to sponsor the parade, and it is a good time for nutcracker floats,” he said.

Caleb Wright of Mingo Junction came to the parade with his family. The young Wright said he enjoyed the firetrucks most of all.

Libby Kuczynski of Richmond traveled to the parade with her family. She liked the high school bands and the hip-hop dance group.

Her mother, Lilly Stewart, said she has been coming to the parade for years with her children.

“They are so excited to see Santa,” she said.

Bratten, after the parade, said the event was “wonderful.”

SLEIGH RIDE — The 2016 Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade: Nutcracker Magic, sponsored by Eastern Gateway Community College, marched down Fourth Street in downtown Steubenville on Saturday. Santa made his appearance at the end of the parade, waving to all the good boys and girls. -- Mark Law

She said floats were encouraged to include the nutcracker theme.

“I never saw so many floats that incorporated the nutcracker theme. It was an enthusiastic crowd. Considering the weather, it was an excellent turnout,” she said.

City Mayor Domenick Mucci said, “Without a doubt, this was an awesome parade. It is a great day for Steubenville. We will continue with the Christmas spirit. We encourage people to come downtown and visit the Nutcracker Village and Advent Market.”

The 11-member Nelson family served as the parade’s grand marshals.

Mark, his wife, Gretchen, and their 2-year-old daughter, Zoe, rode in the carriage near the front of the parade.

“It was an honor and humbling to be named,” said Mark Nelson. “We certainly wasn’t expecting it. The whole family is grateful. We are grateful to our family, employees and the whole community for pulling together to put together the Nutcracker Village. I hope the Nutcracker Village is a project that builds the community, grows tourism and helps to revitalize downtown.”

Parade goers took advantage of the many places downtown to get something hot to drink.

Westminster Presbyterian Church partnered with Franciscan University to offer free hot cocoa and hot dogs at 235 N. 4th St.; Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church had a booth set up on South Fourth Street across from the Grand Theater giving out free hot chocolate; Plain Janes Restaurant at 203 S. Fourth St. offered free hot cocoa and sold hot dogs; and at the Grand Theater on South Fourth Street there was cookies, fudge and stocking stuffers for sale as well as drawing tickets for Christmas baskets.

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