Communities throughout the Tri-State Area will have a little extra sparkle during the next couple of weeks as parades help to celebrate the Christmas season.

Parades offer an opportunity for families and friends to gather and celebrate the season, while giving communities a chance to show off the good things they each have to offer. Floats, marching bands, dancing schools, homecoming queens and members of local service organizations will be joined by vehicles representing police and fire departments and other first responders.

The highlight of each parade is the arrival of Santa Claus, which keeps the spirit of the season for children of all ages.

Our region’s parade season gets under way at 4 p.m. Friday, with Wellsburg’s annual event. The theme this year is the “Colors of Christmas,” and the parade will travel along Charles Street to the Town Square. Serving as grand marshal will be Tammy Hornick, who has organized the Brooke-Hancock Relay for Life for many years with her husband, Paul.

Weirton’s annual parade, coordinated by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday and will follow its traditional route down Main Street. The event will carry the theme “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley will hold grand marshal honors. The annual fireworks display will help to welcome in the season at the conclusion.

Fourth Street in Steubenville will come to life at noon Dec. 7 when the Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade gets under way. Roger and Linda Hilty will serve as grand marshals of the event, which is being sponsored by Gary Kessler in memory of his wife, Betty Ann. Spectators will be invited to stay downtown after the parade and visit the Nutcracker Village and vendors and participate in numerous activities at Historic Fort Steuben and throughout the town.

Dec. 8 will see two more parades — Wintersville’s Christmas Parade will march down Main Street at 4 p.m., and Toronto’s Christmas Parade, sponsored by Focus in Toronto, will travel along Fourth Street beginning at 5:30 p.m.

And, Richmond and New Cumberland will celebrate the season with parades starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 14.

Many other communities in our region also will hold Christmas parades and other holiday-themed events in the coming weeks.

A Christmas parade requires a year of planning and countless hours of work by volunteers, and cooperation from city officials at all levels. We hope you’ll set aside some time to enjoy their efforts, spend some time with your friends and neighbors and share some holiday magic.