SLIDESHOW: Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade in Wheeling

Ear muffs and big smiles were all part of the uniform for those representing Studio MC Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa Claus anchored the 40th annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade on Friday night in Wheeling, marking the return of the parade to the downtown area and marking the official launch of the holiday season. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

A parade favorite among many, the Cardinal Power Plant float billowed “smoke” into the crowd while children aboard spread holiday joy. The smoggy float, appropriately, was followed by a parade unit from the Wheeling Fire Department. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Members of the Warwood Vikings Band march in Wheeling's annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade Friday night. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Ear muffs and big smiles were all part of the uniform for those representing Studio MC Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Members of the Wheeling Park Patriots High School Marching Band march in the 2025 Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade performing a selection of Christmas favorites. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Members of St. Clairsville High Schools vocal music group Sweet Harmony sing Christmas tunes while riding on the Unified Bank float. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Ear muffs and big smiles were all part of the uniform for those representing Studio MC Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Members of the Osiris Shrine Temple entertained the crowd riding their famous tin lizzies during Friday's parade. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots float carried some wild characters who were well into the holiday spirit. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Members of the Wheeling Park Patriots High School Marching Band march in the 2025 Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade performing a selection of Christmas favorites. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

A float representing the Catholic schools of Ohio and Marshall counties included a number of enthusiastic participants from the Corpus Christi School. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Members of the Martins Ferry High School Marching Band perform holiday numbers during Friday's Christmas parade in downtown Wheeling. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Riders on the Ohio County Archery float spread joy and mischief on Friday night. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Members of the Wheeling Park Patriots High School Marching Band march in the 2025 Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade performing a selection of Christmas favorites. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Revelers on the West Virginia Northern Community College float dressed in their holiday best during Friday night's parade. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

WHEELING – The Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade made its way through the traditional route along Market and Main streets in Wheeling for the first time since construction on the Downtown Streetscape Project began a few years ago. The 40th annual parade was met with a steady drizzle of rain, but the weather did not dampen the spirit of the parade goers who came out in masses

: Ear muffs and big smiles were all part of the uniform for those representing Studio MC Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Santa Claus anchored the 40th annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade on Friday night in Wheeling, marking the return of the parade to the downtown area and marking the official launch of the holiday season. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: A parade favorite among many, the Cardinal Power Plant float billowed “smoke” into the crowd while children aboard spread holiday joy. The smoggy float, appropriately, was followed by a parade unit from the Wheeling Fire Department. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Members of the Warwood Vikings Band march in Wheeling’s annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade Friday night. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Ear muffs and big smiles were all part of the uniform for those representing Studio MC Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Members of the Wheeling Park Patriots High School Marching Band march in the 2025 Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade performing a selection of Christmas favorites. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Members of St. Clairsville High Schools vocal music group Sweet Harmony sing Christmas tunes while riding on the Unified Bank float. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Ear muffs and big smiles were all part of the uniform for those representing Studio MC Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Members of the Osiris Shrine Temple entertained the crowd riding their famous tin lizzies during Friday’s parade. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots float carried some wild characters who were well into the holiday spirit. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Members of the Wheeling Park Patriots High School Marching Band march in the 2025 Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade performing a selection of Christmas favorites. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Santa Claus anchored the 40th annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade on Friday night in Wheeling, marking the return of the parade to the downtown area and marking the official launch of the holiday season. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: A float representing the Catholic schools of Ohio and Marshall counties included a number of enthusiastic participants from the Corpus Christi School. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Members of the Martins Ferry High School Marching Band perform holiday numbers during Friday’s Christmas parade in downtown Wheeling. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Riders on the Ohio County Archery float spread joy and mischief on Friday night. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Members of the Wheeling Park Patriots High School Marching Band march in the 2025 Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade performing a selection of Christmas favorites. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Revelers on the West Virginia Northern Community College float dressed in their holiday best during Friday night’s parade. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

: Santa Claus anchored the 40th annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade on Friday night in Wheeling, marking the return of the parade to the downtown area and marking the official launch of the holiday season. (Photo by Eric Ayres)