Waynesburg Christmas Parade set for Saturday
Waynesburg will be alive with the sights and sounds of the holiday season on Saturday when the 87th annual Downtown Waynesburg Christmas Parade is presented by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce.
The parade, held annually on the first Saturday in December, begins at 2 p.m. on High Street.
It has been hosted by the chamber since its inception in 1938 with an estimated 7,000 people in attendance. Santa made news across the state that year because his truck ran out of gas, which delayed his arrival in front of the courthouse
The parade averages 90 units featuring bands, queens, fire trucks, floats and many other types of entries, including the guest of honor – Santa Claus. It is the largest community service project organized by the chamber on behalf of its member businesses county wide.
Waynesburg kicked off the holiday season Nov. 29 with Christmas on High Street, ushering in the shopping season in the downtown district on Small Business Saturday. Featured were wagon rides, live music, the traditional tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks display.
JoAnne Marshall, director of Greene County tourism, said the event was a success.
“I’m still waiting on the final numbers to come in, but it probably was the biggest night we ever had,” she said Tuesday.
Growing Up Greene conducts a coat distribution in conjunction with the event.
“We were able to serve over 400 kids that night,” Marshall said. “That was perfect timing with the storm (Tuesday).”
Last week’s event was the only light-up festival in Waynesburg. There is not a Light-up Night in Historic Waynesburg Friday, as was previously reported.
On Friday, Dec. 5, First Fridays will kick off, which will provide a special Downtown Waynesburg open house on the first Friday of every month. Businesses will remain open until 7 p.m., and food trucks and live music and entertainment will be featured.
“They’ll have special activities every month,” Marshall said. “This month they’re going to show a movie, and I saw a Facebook post that Santa will be there.”