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Downtown Christmas parade to begin at noon Saturday

STEUBENVILLE — Downtown will come alive Saturday with the 2018 Eastern Gateway Sights and Sounds of Christmas: Nutcracker Magic Parade.

The parade, which begins at noon, boasts more than 90 units, including five high school bands, four dance troupes and lots of nutcrackers. This year’s grand marshal is Alan Hall, honored for his “very productive” 35 years as director of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, according to parade organizers. In the carriage with him will be his wife, Barbara.

“We are always excited to see the variety of units that will participate in the parade,” said Judy Bratten, executive director of Historic Fort Steuben and the Visitors Center, which organizes the parade each year. “They are going all out to qualify their units for a prize.”

Units can apply to be considered in the categories for best floats or best vehicles, and a grand prize will be awarded to the best nutcracker-themed unit. Judges for this year’s parade will be Municipal Court Judge John Mascio Jr., Common Pleas Court Judge Michelle Miller and Molly McGovern of the nonprofit Friendship Room.

“We are indebted to Eastern Gateway Community College and President Jimmie Bruce for being the title sponsor of the parade again this year. EGCC has become huge presence for excellence in the community and we are proud to have them with us,” Bratten noted. “Trinity Health System, JSW Steel and the Kessler family are our other major sponsors.”

Bratten said the parade will have many floats depicting the meaning and joys of Christmas, including Biblical vignettes and nativity scenes. All units are required to be decorated for the holiday with appropriate musical accompaniments.

“Our Santa sled is a unique part of the parade,” said Bratten. “It is a converted steel tanker all painted and decorated by the Kessler family for Santa and 14 young helpers to truly make the season bright.”

The parade begins at noon at Fourth and Market streets in Steubenville. While waiting for the parade, Bratten said people can get hot cocoa at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 235 N. Fourth St., and next to the CAC at 114 N. Fourth St. The Grand Theater on South Fourth Street will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Jefferson County Historical Museum on Franklin Avenue from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“The weather looks like it will be cold, so everyone should dress accordingly,” Bratten added, “but we always have a great time. And after the parade we invite everyone to the Nutcracker Village and Advent Market.”

She said staff and volunteers have worked for months with the city and organizations to ensure the 90-minute event goes smoothly, pointing out her assistant, Mary Snyder, “spent hours” figuring out things like spacing, informing participants where they’ll be in the lineup and gathering info for the television broadcast.

“We have had to divide our staff between the parade and the Nutcracker Village, but we have a great group of responsible volunteers helping at both sites, including members of Amateur Radio Operators of Tri-County Emergency Radio Association, Jefferson Security, Tri-State Financial Services, Steubenville High School, Boy Scout Troop 401, Steubenville Lions Club, Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, Nelsons of Steubenville, volunteers from the visitors center and individuals who just want to see everyone have a delightful time. We also thank the Downtown Bakery, Leonardo’s Coffeehouse and the Inn at Franciscan Square for supplying our VIP tent,” she noted.

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