Washington celebrates Christmas with parade, light-up night
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus riding in a Ford Mustang Friday in the Washington Christmas parade.
Nicole Bull of Washington buys light-up wands for daughters Isabella, 6, and Lydia, 4, Friday during the Washington Christmas parade.
Trinity High School marching band instruments were decorated with lights Friday as the musicians march in the Washington Christmas parade.
Penn Schelling, 2, eats ice cream Friday along North Main Street as he and his mother, Britt Schelling of Washington, watch the Washington Christmas parade.
Thousands of people lined Main Street in downtown Friday night in anticipation of a little holiday cheer as the annual Washington Christmas parade made its way through town.
This year’s parade and Light Up Night, sponsored by the Washington Business District Association, Serenity Farms Inc. and A&M Winery, featured everything from Trinity and Washington High School marching bands, area police and fire departments and military units to unicyclists, horses, tractor-trailers, youth sports teams, Boy Scout troops, churches, local businesses and more than a dozen floats.
And, just about anything that could be strung with tinsel, garland and Christmas lights was, including trumpets, firetrucks, Jeeps and ponies.
Santa Claus, with Mrs. Claus by his side, arrived in a white Ford Mustang convertible provided by Washington Ford.
For the first time in a handful of years, the weather cooperated.
Although the temperature flirted with the freezing mark – the thermometer stood at 36 degrees when the parade ended – it did not rain or snow, and spectators cheered on the units that wound their way along the parade route.
“I think it went extremely well. People were fired up,” said Matt Uram, parade chairman and member of the WBDA. “We’ve had terrible weather the past few years, from rain last year to heavy snow two years ago that forced several units to drop out, but this year, it was pretty good, even though it could have been a little bit warmer. There was a lot of excitement about the parade, and it’s become a Washington tradition.”
The parade’s grand marshal was PONY League Baseball and Softball, and PONY League princess Reaghan Rush lit up the Christmas tree outside Washington County Courthouse to kick off the parade at 7 p.m.
Sabra Sheehan of Washington was accompanied by her daughter, Katera Luzzader, granddaughter Ella, 2, and Diana Fabian, her son Cullen Sheehan’s fiancée.
Ella, carrying a Minnie Mouse bucket and wearing a pink knit hat, was excited about several parade-related events: collecting candy thrown by several of the parade units, seeing her uncle Cullen (who had the honor of driving Santa and Mrs. Claus in the parade), and seeing Santa Claus himself.
“The best part of the parade is that we can all do this together,” said Sheehan, who brought her children to the parade when they were younger and now brings Ella. “This year, we’re excited because it’s not raining and it’s not too cold.”
In all, the parade, which lasted about an hour and 45 minutes, featured 120 units.
The parade has been held for more than 30 years and has grown larger in recent years, providing an opportunity for merchants to bring visitors into their stores.
Before and throughout the parade, paradegoers had a chance to participate in a paint-and-sip event and browse vendors along or near Main and Maiden streets, including A&M Winery, the David Bradford House Christmas Shoppes and restaurants including the Upper Crust.
Hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn were provided by WBDA, Washington Rotary, Life Church of Washington and other area businesses and churches.
“This event has grown from just a parade into an opportunity for people to see what Washington has to offer,” Uram said. “A lot of businesses had a very good night, and the WBDA, with this parade, is doing its job in bringing people into town. They’re stopping and they’re spending their discretionary income in town, just like we want them to.”
Anne Holmes of Burgettstown was accompanied by her daughter, Cady Holmes, and Cady’s son, Rylan, 2.
It was the first time Anne Holmes attended the parade in more than six years, when her family moved from Washington.
“I could buy Rylan more cars, trucks and toys, but the memories we make by coming here are the things that he’s going to remember,” said Holmes, who marched in the parade when she was a member of Trinity High School Band and attended the parades when Cady marched as a Trinity cheerleader and Cady’s brother marched with the Trinity band. “I’m glad we came.”
Daniel and Nicole Bull attended the parade for the first time and brought along their children, Isabella, 6, Lydia, 4, and 4-month-old Camden.
“Usually, we go to Pittsburgh, but the weather was nice and this is so close,” Nicole Bull said.
Isabella was excited about the dance and gymnastic groups that participated in the parade.
“I’m a dancer,” said Isabella, waving a light-up Christmas tree wand. “I like the dancers.”
New to the parade this year were organ transplant donors and recipients, who promoted organ donation.
Nevermore Productions provided Christmas music before the parade began, and Dr. Thomas Drewitz served as announcer. He was assisted by Joe Pisczcor. Both are Rotary members.
“This parade is a real collaboration,” Uram said. “It’s a wonderful way to kick of the Christmas season.”