Tri-State gearing up for parades, holiday festivities  

 

In the days and weeks to follow, the Tri-State will jingle with the sounds of sleigh bells and twinkle with colored lights.

Marching bands and dance groups will parade through the streets, a sure sign that Christmas is on its way.

To kick off the holiday season, Ashland, Ky.’s annual Winter Wonderland of Lights Christmas Parade is tonight at 6:50 p.m. This year’s grand marshal is Bill Jackson, founding member of the Boyd County Ambulance Service.

The parade route is Carter Avenue west to 14th Street, after a turn onto Winchester Avenue the procession continues east on Winchester to 22nd Street.

Another popular attraction, Central Park’s Winter Wonderland of Lights display, is already lit. Train rides around the park are available from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Sunday until Dec. 22. The cost is $3 and tickets can be purchased at the park on 22nd Street.

Ironton’s annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Lions Club, will be 6 p.m. Monday. This year’s theme is “Sleigh Bells Ringing.”

The parade route begins at Second and Railroad streets, down Second Street to Washington Street, Washington to Third Street and Third Street to the Center Street fountain.

About 45 minutes before the parade starts, children can get some face-time with Santa Claus. Old Saint Nick will be stationed at Railroad Street.

On Nov. 28, the Village of Coal Grove will welcome students from Dawson-Bryant Elementary School to decorate and light the tree at the Jae Roush Community Building.

That evening at 6 p.m. at Paul Porter Park, the Coal Grove Betterment Club will have a special memorial ceremony for Roush, who passed away in October.

Club president Vicki McDaniel said a special Christmas display would be unveiled in memory of Roush, who was a devoted betterment club member, as well as the lighting of the park.

“I want to make it perfect for him,” McDaniel said. “Whether it’s going to be perfect, I don’t know. …This was the least we could do.”

The annual Coal Grove Christmas parade will follow later in the week — 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.

The parade will start at the townhouse and follow Marion Pike to Paul Porter Park. Santa will be on hand after the parade, as well as homemade cookies and hot chocolate.

On the other end of the county, Chesapeake will have its tree lighting and festivities beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29 at Triangle Park.

Mayor Dick Gilpin said the event has been a village tradition for more than 10 years.

“It’s an event where we get groups out of the schools,” Gilpin said. “It is an event where they can participate in a community event and maybe something they can talk about when they grow up. It’s just a fun, short event that helps us bring our community together.”

Sponsored by the Chesapeake Area Citizens Coalition, the event will feature choral performances as well as a visit from Santa Claus.

Huntington, W.Va. will also have a parade at 7 p.m. Nov. 29. The theme of the parade is “A Salute to Christmas — Honoring Our Local Heroes,” with Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams as grand marshal.

The parade starts on 13th Street and goes west on Fourth Avenue to Eighth Street. From Eighth Street, the parade marches to Third Avenue and on to Pullman Square. The lighting of the tree will follow at Pullman Square.

The City of Russell, Ky., will have its parade at 7 p.m. Dec. 6.

 

2012 Ironton Christmas Parade

DIVISION I

Staging Area: 2nd and Railroad Streets

• Lions Club Banners and Flags

• Parade Banner

• VFW 8850 Color Guard

• Ironton Fire Department (vehicle)

• IHS Marching Band

• IHS Cheerleaders

• Ironton Middle School Cheerleaders

• Ohio State Patrol (vehicle)

• Mayor Rich Blankenship

• WTCR Radio (vehicle)

• Yvonne DeKay School of Dance

• Wendy’s Restaurants

• Carl Collins – 1976 Pontiac

• COAD Foster Grandparent Program

• Ironton-Lawrence County CAO Head Start

 

DIVISION II

Staging Area: Railroad St., behind 1st Division

• Pappy’s Choo-Choo

• Rock Hill Varsity Cheerleaders

• Rock Hill Middle School Cheerleaders

• Rock Hill Elementary Cheerleaders (K-6)

• So. Ohio All-Breed Dog Club

• Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (float)

• Zumba Fitness

• AAA of Ironton

• Rent 2 Own (vehicle)

• El Hasa Shrine

 

DIVISION III

Staging Area: 4th Street, Beside Post Office

• M&M Inflatables (vehicle)

• MTS Ambulance (vehicle)

• O.A.C.W.C. Youth Clubs

• Ironton Girl Scouts Troops 985-425-1271 (float)

• Ironton Girl Scouts Daisy Troop 990

• Dawson Bryant Girl Scout Troops 1816-912-1269-2186

 

DIVISION IV

Staging Area: 4th Street, In Front of Wendy’s

• OUSC (Band, vehicle, float)

• LCEMS (vehicles)

• Hamilton Twp. VFD (vehicle)

• Patriot Ambulance

 

DIVISION V

Staging Area: One-Stop Lot

• Ironton Lions Club Banner

• Santa Claus

• SOARES (Ham Radio)

• Ironton Police Dept.