photo by: Craig Howell

The John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, which brought a “Polar Express” train covered in lights for Saturday’s parade, was honored as this year’s grand marshal, in appreciation for its support of the community Christmas light display.

From music to dancing to lots of colorful holiday characters, the Weirton Christmas Parade brought it all to the city’s downtown Saturday night.

Featuring a theme of “Sounds of the Season,” this year’s parade featured more than 70 entries, highlighting decades of holiday music and entertainment, all capped off with an appearance from Santa Claus and a fireworks display.

“Who doesn’t love a parade?” exclaimed Brenda Mull, president of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual holiday festivities. “I think the ‘Sounds of the Season’ gave everyone a chance to come up with something they like.”

Sponsored by Nick’s Towing, Collision Center, Auto Sales and Rebuilders; West Virginia Northern Community College; and WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center; with support for the fireworks provided by DeeJay’s BBQ Ribs and Grille, Hancock County Savings Bank, Mountaineer Casino Resort, Nick’s Auto, Window World, and Professional Tire, the parade featured more than a dozen large floats, performances by local dance schools and high school bands, a variety of vehicles, and more, much of them covered in lights.

This year’s honorary grand marshal was the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, selected by the chamber in appreciation for its support and assistance in maintaining the community’s Christmas light displays.

“The John D. Rockefeller Career Center always comes through every year with something positive, bright and festive,” Mull said, pointing out the career center’s parade entry featuring a train covered in lights and depicting a wintry scene.

Other entries featured an inflatable hippopotamus, accompanied by the classic Gayla Peevey song, a showcase of characters from the animated holiday classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer;” numerous Grinches; and even an appearance by the Griswold family truckster, along with displays of the Nativity and other festive scenes.

“The participants in this year’s parade went above and beyond,” Mull said. “I thought it was fantastic, and who would have thought the Grinch would have been so popular?”

In addition to the participants and sponsors, Mull offered her thanks to members of the chamber’s Special Projects Committee and the volunteers who worked to keep the parade running smoothly, and to Pyrotechnico Inc. of New Castle, Pa., which put on the fireworks display.