Ironton hosts annual Christmas parade

People lined the streets downtown to kick off the holiday season and watch the annual Ironton Christmas Parade.

The event, organized each year by the Ironton Lions Club, was preceded by a chance for children to meet Santa Claus during the line-up.

Participants this year included the Ironton High School marching band and cheerleaders, cheerleaders from Ironton Middle School, Rock Hill Middle and St Joseph High, the El Hasa Shriners and their hillbilly trucks, local fire departments, ambulances, the Ohio University Southern Community Band and civic groups.

Families lined Third Street and the surrounding area, with children eager to collect the candy thrown out by parade participants.

The Paramount Players joined the parade this year, their first time involved.

The parade concluded with the arrival of Santa in a Jeep.