Details of Wintersville Christmas event shared

WINTERSVILLE -- Volunteers behind the monthly Wednesdays in Wintersville street fair and village officials again are teaming to present a weekend of activities to ring in the Christmas season.

Mayor Mike Petrella said response to the new event last year was overwhelmingly positive, thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and support of local businesses.

He and Joel Johns, co-chair of the Wednesdays in Winterville committee with Mary Decker, said this year will see the return of many of its features, including a synthetic ice rink on both days, as well as the Christmas parade that has been a long-time village tradition.

Petrella noted the rink again will be supplied by Movin' and Groovin' Productions, which also is partly sponsoring it, and other businesses are invited to help him in defraying its costs.

Plans call for the rink to be available from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m Dec. 3 outside the Village Building at 200 Grove St.

Joel said area residents are invited to display their nativities in Wintersville Methodist Church's Center of Hope from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and are asked to set them up between 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. that day.

The church also will host a Christmas concert beginning at 4 p.m. and featuring the Central City Brass Band, Cross Creek Children's Choir and Bishop John King Mussio Junior High School Band.

The church's indoor Christmas tree will be lighted during the concert.

John said a variety of food and other vendors will be in the Village Building lot from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 3, while local businesses have been invited to hold special sales or events on Dec. 2.

He noted Mary Decker, owner of the Valley Wine Cellar, has made plans to sell warm alcoholic drinks, while he will dim the lights in his own business, Exquisite Creations by Joel, to showcase lighted Christmas decorations for sale there.

In addition, EZ Fresh Meals will hold a chili cookoff on Dec. 2, with entry fees going to the Teramana Cancer Center's Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief Fund, which provides aid to financially struggling cancer patients.

Participants will have a chance at winning a cash prize. Judging will be done by a panel of village officials.

For information, call (304) 374-3207.

There will be another fundraiser for the T.E.A.R. Fund in the form of luminaria to be lighted along Main Street at 5 p.m. Dec. 2.

John said area residents are invited to sponsor them for $5 each, with proceeds going to the Teramana Cancer Center's Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief Fund, which provides aid to financially struggling cancer patients in various ways.

He said candles for the luminaria have been donated by John Riley of Riley Petroleum Products, allowing more money to be passed on to the charity.

John said each bag may bear the name of a loved one, living or deceased, regardless of the person's cause of death; or a holiday message.

"We've had people who just wanted to contribute to the cause and wrote 'Merry Christmas' on them," he said, adding they may be "purchased" at a number of businesses along Main Street up to 2 p.m. that day.

John said this year's goal is to "sell" 500, enough to line Main Street from the plaza occupied by Ferguson's House of Furniture to the Kroger plaza.

Petrella noted the village's Christmas parade will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 3.

Organized by Tammy Straka, village administrative assistant, last year's parade included more than 30 units, which Petrella said may be a record for the event.

Straka said so far, 25 have signed up for this year, with that number including the Catholic Central and Indian Creek high school bands.

Others interested may call (740) 266-3175.

Following the parade, the Christmas tree at the Village Building will be lighted and disc jockey Nick Riley will provide music.

John said he and others with Wednesdays in Wintersville were very pleased with the turnout for last year's event and are hoping for another pleasant weekend.

"It was so cool to see the whole community come together. It was like something you see in a movie," he said.

Petrella said he's thankful for the many volunteers and supporters behind it.

"We can't pull this off without all of the people behind the scenes. They're key to its success."