Dec 6, 2024 By Mike Jones 2 min read

The annual Waynesburg Christmas Parade is scheduled to stream down High Street on Saturday afternoon with a special guest right ahead of Santa Claus.

Mrs. Claus is making an appearance in this year’s parade and will be riding along in a 1948 antique Chevrolet pickup truck polished up to celebrate First Federal Savings & Loan of Greene County’s 100th anniversary this year.

Right behind Mrs. Claus will be her longtime spouse, Santa, who will receive the usual honorary treatment by rolling by parade-goers in the Waynesburg-Franklin Volunteer Fire Department’s antique 1925 American LaFrance fire truck driven by fire Chief Jeff Marshall.

“The closing will be a little unique,” Greene County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melody Longstreth said of the North Pole’s duo ending the parade in tandem this year.

Longstreth said the parade is scheduled to have a “full lineup” of 90 units, which includes 12 floats and four marching bands. It will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the top of West High Street and trek through the borough’s main business district, past the Greene County Courthouse and ending near St. Ann Church. The chamber organizes the annual parade, which Longstreth said is entering its 86th year.

“For one thing, it’s tradition. It’s been going on for 86 years. It’s taken many different routes around the community, but the courthouse has always been the focal point. We want to keep up the tradition.”

The weather forecast is looking good Saturday afternoon, with no precipitation expected and temperatures hovering in the low to mid-30s.

“It’s usually very well-attended,” Longstretch said. “Just hope and pray that Mother Nature will cooperate.”

Longstreth said the parade wouldn’t be possible without the “gracious” residents living in the borough’s North Side neighborhood, where parade vehicles are parked or lined up before the parade. She also lauded the army of 21 volunteers this year who will make sure the parade runs smoothly.

“People think you just show up and drive down High Street. It’s months and months of work. It’s a long process and a lot of planning,” Longstreth said. “We do this on behalf of our business members who belong to the chamber. This is kind of our community service project for representing the business community.”

Meanwhile, Light-Up Night will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today outside the Greene County Courthouse at 10 E. High St.