The floats are ready, the bands are set to march, the fire engines and police cruisers have tested the sound levels on their sirens and Santa Claus has finished prepping his sleigh.

It’s parade night in Wheeling, a great way to kick off the holidays and fall into the Christmas spirit.

This year’s Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights parade is set to take to the city’s streets starting at 6 p.m. today. The traditional route through downtown has been changed due to the Downtown Streetscape work. This year’s parade will follow last year’s route and start at the intersection of 24th and Market streets in Center Wheeling — one block south of Centre Market — and make a right turn, traveling north along Main Street for several blocks. The route will then go toward Main Street Bank and make another right at 20th and Main Streets, where the event will end at the next intersection.

“Because of the uncertainty with the Streetscape Project, we will keep the route exactly the same as last year,” said Kurt Zende, president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce. “It was presented well, and once the crowd got accustomed, it went really well. All the sponsors were pleased, and the participants and audience also were pleased.”

While the route will be different, the parade’s spirit will remain unchanged. Area bands, organizations and others will help to jump-start the season for the region, with other parades and events doing the same for those communities.

Everybody loves a parade. Get out today and enjoy the festivities.