Parade, market kick off holiday season
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus arrive to Washington in the Christmas parade. After the parade Santa stopped by the holiday market to take pictures with children.
Dance students from Moschetta’s Performing Arts Center dance down Main Street in Washington for the Christmas parade Friday.
Washington County Prothonotary Joy Schury Ranko rides along the parade route with her dog Friday.
A member from the Trinity Marching band plays as he marches down the street with a decorated tuba for the holiday season.
The Christmas tree in front of the Washington County Courthouse was officially lit Friday night by Washington Mayor Scott Putnam and Ken Westcott, board president of the Washington Business District Association and Matt Uram, executive director of Serenity Farms Inc.
Tom King of South Franklin plays Christmas music on his accordian at the Downtown Washington Holiday Market Friday. Vendors set up from 3-10 p.m selling food and goods and Santa Claus stopped by for photos with children.
Shoppers mill about the Downtown Washington Holiday Market Friday.
Victor Spadacina of Washington and Flora Cursi of Washington browse jewelry at the Downtown Washington Holiday Market Friday. Range Resources and Observer-Reporter sponsored the event.
There were bands and tinsel-bedecked firetrucks, cookies and hot cocoa, artisans, strolling carolers and entertainers and a Christmas tree.
Thousands of adults and children bundled in jackets, hats and mittens crowded onto Main Street in downtown Washington Friday to celebrate the holiday season at the Washington Christmas parade and Downtown Washington Holiday Market.
Washington Mayor Scott Putnam, accompanied by Ken Westcott, board president of the Washington Business District Association and Matt Uram, executive director of Serenity Farms Inc., led the countdown and flipped the switch to light up the city’s Christmas tree at the Washington County Courthouse.
A combination of returning favorites and new faces made up this year’s parade lineup, including a procession of fire engines from several local departments, high school marching bands, unicyclists, Boy Scout troops, dance troupes and more than a dozen illuminated floats.
The nighttime parade, which has been held for more than 30 years, has become a stalwart tradition for many area families.
Paradegoer Lisa Lytton of Claysville attended with her 84-year-old mother, her daughter, Rebekah Carney, and two grandchildren, Isabelle, 13, and Elaina 12.
“We have four generations right here. We have been coming to this parade for years and years,” said Lytton, who recalled a time when the parade route traveled in the opposite direction. “We’ve been through the rain and the snow. The floats are really good this year. And we like the bands.”
The weather cooperated, and while the temperature dipped to 38 degrees, it did not rain or snow.
“The weather was on our side, the wind was at our back, and it was a very good night,” said Uram, parade chairman. “We’re moving in a good direction, with the Holiday Market and the parade and the participation of local businesses in today’s events.”
Before and throughout the parade, paradegoers had a chance to stop by the Holiday Market, a new event sponsored by the Observer-Reporter and Range Resources, along with Washington Citywide Development Corp., Budd Baer, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Miller’s Ace Hardware, Community Bank and Bonnie Loya of Coldwell Banker, was held at the Community Pavilion on South Main Street. More than 40 vendors and artisans attracted shoppers with a variety of products, crafts, food and beverage options, wine and spirits.
Downtown businesses also offered extended hours and refreshments to spectators.
“There is a lot of good stuff here,” said Michaela Williams of Monroeville, who brought her daughter, Karinne, nearly 2, to watch the parade with the toddler’s grandmother, Lucia Brogley. “I’ve enjoyed looking around, and it’s not as cold as it could be. We’re having a good time.”
Said Brogley, “I’m here to get into the Christmas spirit. This parade gets you into the spirit.”
Cindy Bennington of Waynesburg attended the parade with her husband, Bill, and their son, Will Bennington, of Washington. Will has watched several parades over the years, but it was his mother’s first visit to the parade.
“It’s nice. I like the (holiday market) and stores that are open. It gives you an opportunity to visit vendors and stores that you don’t necessarily shop in or get to visit,” said Will Bennington.
Santa Claus, with Mrs. Claus by his side, arrived in a white Ford Mustang convertible, courtesy of Washington Ford. The parade lasted about one hour and 45 minutes.
Fourteen-year-olds Grace Kimmel, Natalie Klein and Lauren Caimano of Peters Township, accompanied by Grace’s parents, Jimmy and Allison Kimmel, attended the parade for the first time.
They enjoyed getting their faces painted (like ice princesses), drinking hot chocolate and eating brownies from Chicco Baccello.
“The brownies are great,” they agreed. “We’re having a lot of fun.”
Said Jimmy Kimmel, “My favorite float was the truck that was passing out popsicles. They weren’t melting.”
Allison Kimmel enjoyed the dancers from Moschetta’s Dance Studio, who wore Mrs. Claus costumes and danced while holding Christmas wreaths.
“I’m calling them the Little Rockettes,” she said. “They’re great.”