Washington celebrates annual Christmas parade
Observer-Reporter
Aubrey Schwering of Chartiers Township holds a snowflake wand as she watches the Christmas Parade in Washington in 2018.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
A dance group makes it way along Main Street during the Holiday Market and Christmas parade in Washington Friday night.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Greg Florian of Washington holds his daughter, Zuriel as they watch the Christmas Parade in Washington last year.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Members of Washington High School’s marching band perform in last year’s Christmas Parade in Washington.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Santa Claus rides in a wagon pulled by horses in the Holiday Market and Christmas parade in Washington Friday.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Washington.
Paradegoers lined the parade route along Main Street Friday night for the annual Holiday Market and Christmas parade, officially kicking off the Christmas season.
But the 70-unit parade – complete with fire trucks, floats, high school bands, dancers and, of course, Santa Claus – was only one of many family-friendly activities held throughout the evening.
The Holiday Market, held at the Community Pavilion, featured more than 40 vendors, children’s activities including face painting, and Christmas carolers.
Santa Claus made a stop at the Holiday Market for photographs with children before he joined the parade.
Hannah Mueller, 4, of Washington, sat on a blanket between her parents, Drea Thomas and Amy Mueller, as the parade got underway.
“I like the candy,” said Hannah, as she waited with anticipation for chocolate, bubble gum and other candies to be tossed in her direction.
Amy Mueller said the parade, which also included units representing area civic organizations, businesses, churches and schools, has become an annual tradition.
“What’s not to like about it? It’s a great parade,” said Amy Mueller.
The temperature hovered in the high 20s, but Hannah, bundled in a reindeer hat, coat and checkered scarf, declared she wasn’t cold.
“It’s not cold,” she said.
The night began with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on the steps of the Washington County Courthouse when Mayor Scott Putnam flipped the switch.
Several businesses remained open until 9 p.m., and some provided free hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn. The evening provided an opportunity for paradegoers to visit some of their favorite local shops and explore new ones.
Bernie Rupcich, a former Ellsworth resident who owns Magnolia on Main, a traveling boutique, said she had significant foot traffic in her converted van.
“It’s been busy. We’ve had nice crowds here,” said Rupcich. “We’ve had people buying, people looking, people saying they liked what we have. I haven’t even had time to go get a fried pickle yet.”
Gary and Karen Hancher of Houston brought their granddaughters, Berkly and Lakin Hatfield, ages 7 and 4, to the Holiday Market and the parade.
The Hanchers, who have attended three light-up nights with the grandchildren in recent weeks, including Pittsburgh’s, said Washington’s was their favorite.
Before the parade, they browsed through the Holiday Market, “sampled some of the local beverages,” joked Hancher, and munched on kettle corn.
“This is just so much nicer than Pittsburgh,” said Gary Hancher. “It’s smaller and more intimate, and we run into people we know. The way they have it set up is so nice.”