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The magic of the Christmas season will be on display all across our region this weekend.
From Wintersville to Chester, and many locations in between, this weekend will offer a wide variety of things to see, hear and do.
Thousands of residents from across the Tri-State Area are expected to pack the streets of downtown Steubenville at noon Saturday for the annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade. The parade will feature marching bands and cheerleaders, dancing groups, homecoming queens, colorful floats sponsored by community organizations and local businesses and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Rikki Kamarados, the longtime co-owner of Downtown Bakery, has been selected as the grand marshal. She has played an active role in the community for many decades, including her work with the Steubenville Lions Club and at her church, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
The parade is just one of many activities happening downtown. Already, thousands of visitors have viewed the more than 200 nutcrackers that make up Steubenville's Nutcracker Village, enjoyed the Advent Market along Fourth Street and visited the Holiday Market and Christmas at the Fort at Historic Fort Steuben.
The nutcracker village also offers a chance to participate in the Nutcracker Story Walk, view museum-quality Nativity scenes, see the trees that are part of the annual decorating contest, grab a beverage in the Gluhwein Garden, enjoy a hayride through downtown and be a part of other events, including Sunday's St. Nicholas Day Lantern Parade.
Saturday in Steubenville will feature many activities in addition to the parade. Those include the Dashing for Diapers 5K that will begin at 9 a.m. in Belleview Park and will help the diaper bank operated by the Jefferson County General Health District. Christmas in Beatty Park is set to begin at noon Saturday and will offer a taste of an old-fashioned Christmas, and an open house will be held at the Grand Theater for the Performing Arts from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Also Saturday, the streets of Toronto will come to life at 5:30 p.m. when Focus in Toronto presents the Gem City's annual Christmas parade. Chester's parade will start at 3 p.m. and will come at the end of a full day of activities, and Follansbee's light-up event will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wintersville Winter Weekend returns Saturday and Sunday and will feature music, fun, food and ice skating each day near the Village Building. On Saturday, Wintersville Methodist Church will host a Christmas concert beginning at 4 p.m. that will feature 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. Luminaria will be lighted along Main Street at 5 p.m. Saturday, and the village's annual Christmas parade is set to begin at 4 p.m. Sunday. After the parade, the Christmas tree at the Village Building will be lighted.
And on Monday, Mingo Junction's Christmas light-up activities will begin at 6 p.m. in the green space near the Village Building.
All of these events are made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers in each community -- as well as the support of local businesses. They are designed to help bring the Christmas spirit to life.
We hope you will participate in spreading that special feeling that comes with the holidays.