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Toronto’s Christmas marched in on Saturday

Doris Starr, co-director of the Toronto Unit of the Salvation Army, was grand marshal for Saturday’s Toronto Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Toronto in Focus organization. — Mark J. MIller

TORONTO — Hundreds of parade lovers lined both sides of Fourth Street Saturday, eager to watch the city Christmas parade and perhaps catch of glimpse of old St. Nick himself.

The parade, sponsored by the Toronto in Focus organization, included floats from churches, businesses and local organizations as well as safety forces and even horses.

Doris Starr, co-director of the Toronto Unit of the Salvation Army, was grand marshal. She retires from the Salvation Army at the end of the year with more than 30 years of service.

Ed Zorne of Steubenville said he was there watch his daughter Amber.

“My daughter’s from Toronto,” said Zorne, adding he tries to come to Toronto’s parade annually. “Yes, we try to come every year. We rough it even if it’s cold. I also brought my grandson Jace Elia. He has fun trying to get the candy and stuff.”

And there were plenty of kids, many of the wee ones waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus or stock up on sweet treats being tossed by virtually every parade participant. Children scampered in the sidewalks to scoop up the sweet treats.

Mayor John Parker and Police Chief Randy Henry led the parade in a Toronto patrol car, followed by crews from the Toronto, Stratton, Empire and Knoxville fire departments. The Edison Local Marching Band played Christmas classics, while vehicles from the TEMS Joint Ambulance District drove by. A vehicle from the Ohio Department of Transportation boasted a plow painted by local pupils.

Brad Thomas of Calcutta said he was glad to be back home to watch the spectacle.

“I grew up here, and a few years ago I moved back to Calcutta,” said Thomas, who was there with his new bride Theresa and son Preston. “We come back to see the parade every year.”

Theresa, who said she was from St. Louis, Mo., said the two married last Valentine’s Day, and she was enjoying her visit to the Gem City.

“I’m here to see what they do with the floats,” said Theresa. “I love little old towns like this.”

Other participants boasted creative displays, such as one float that created its own snow as it moved down the street. Other highlights included the Toronto High School Marching Band; Lily Sapp, 2016 Little Miss Lion; a few entries with horses, some doing “tricks” in the street; the Deb-U-Let Twirlers doing a routine with glow-in-the-dark batons; the Toronto High School homecoming court; the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County; Powers Defensive Tactics; and other businesses and organizations sponsoring floats and vehicles.

Don Fogle of Mingo Junction, camera in hand and ready to shoot, said he was there to watch someone special.

“My daughter Ann Fogle’s in the parade with with the Country Classic 4-H Club,” said Fogle, adding she was also in last year’s Toronto Christmas Parade. “Most of the kids (in the club) are from Richmond and Empire. At least three or four go to school here in Toronto.”

Santa Claus marked the end of the event, but not before waving to crowds on the sidewalks while perky elves handed out candy.

Parade winners included, floats, the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization, first place; the Black Diamond Girl Scouts, second place; and Cub Scout Troop 41, third place.

Performance winners were Lee Masters Martial Arts, first place; and Deb-U-Let Twirlers, second place.

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)

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