photo by: Warren Scott

A crowd gathers by the fountain at Fort Steuben Park Friday evening to witness the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree and the fireworks display that followed.

STEUBENVILLE — Though there was a strong chill in the air Friday night, the spirit of the holiday season and the company of others helped to warm the hearts of many who turned out for the lighting of the city’s 30-foot Christmas tree at Fort Steuben Park.

Many listened as Santa Claus and members of the Franciscan University of Steubenville men’s basketball team counted down to the lighting, which was followed by a colorful fireworks display in the sky between the fort and the Market Street Bridge.

Mayor Jerry Barilla delivered a welcome earlier and introduced the Rev. Michael Gossett, who offered a blessing for the tree as a symbol of the celebration of Christ’s birth.

As they awaited the big moment, many sang along with Christmas tunes performed by the Honkytonk Sweethearts and the Ron Retzer Trio; visited the gift shop in the fort’s visitors center; surveyed nativities displayed at the tree’s base; or strolled through several nutcrackers that lined the path to the tree.

Children visited Santa and enjoyed free rides on a Christmas carousel set up on North Third Street for the occasion.

There also were more than 20 artisan vendors in the fort’s Holiday Market selling decorative items, treats and other items.

The market will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Sunday through Dec. 21.

The visitor center and gift shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Activities and programs at the fort will run through Dec. 28 and include trolley rides, puppet shows, outdoor film screenings and performances by local school bands.

The festivities and attractions at the fort are just part of a citywide Christmas celebration.

The Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade will be held at noon on Dec. 6 on Fourth Street, and will run from North to South streets.

Also on that day, volunteers working to restore the Historic Grand Theater will offer tours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Friends of Beatty Park will be offering a live nativity, visit from Santa and activities for children there from noon to 4 p.m.

The Steubenville Cultural Trust, the group behind the Nutcracker Village, has organized several events, including a St. Nicholas Lantern Parade at 7 p.m. Friday on Fourth Street, where visitors will find more than 200 colorful, life-size nutcrackers inspired by history, sports, literature and local residents.

Among the many visiting the fort was Lindsey Shover of Knoxville, Tenn., who said she was visiting family in Ohio for her 30th birthday.

Accompanied by a cousin from Columbus and a great-aunt from Lima, she said, “This is our first time. We came here this morning to see the nutcrackers. It’s great.”

Barnesville natives Greg and Julie Harris, who now live in Salem, came with several family members.

Julie said the pair learned about downtown Steubenville’s Christmas offerings by accident.

On their way to see the Oglebay Festival of Lights, they decided to stop in the city to view its murals and discovered the fort and the Nutcracker Village, she explained.

“It’s great. It reminds me of a Hallmark movie,” she said.

A schedule of Nutcracker Village events can be found at steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com/schedule.html.

And a schedule of activities at Historic Fort Steuben can be found at oldfortsteuben.com/christmas-at-the-fort.