ST. CLAIRSVILLE The St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce plans for Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Holidays on the Hilltop Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade and is excited to have Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep join us as the title sponsor.

The parade will take place on Thursday, Nov.18 at 6:30 p.m., immediately following the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will begin at 6 p.m.

Brian and Robert Thomas commented, “We at Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram are extremely proud to be this year’s title sponsor for the Christmas tree lighting and parade. We feel very fortunate to be able to give back to our great city with all its great people and community pride. We started out 93 years ago as a horse and buggy stable and have created a top-of-the-line new and used automobile dealership. We also have a full-service repair facility and fully-stocked parts department, all with factory-trained employees. So if you are looking for a new or used vehicle, give us a try and experience our hometown hospitality along with our great deals and highest trade-ins. We are the Ohio Valley’s longest-running 5-star dealership.

“Merry Christmas to all of you, and may God bless each and every one of you!”

This year’s parade theme is Celebrate Hometown Blessings and the community will honor Mr. John Jenkins, owner of Jenkins Sporting Goods, as grand marshal.

A life-long resident of St. Clairsville, Jenkins has been an active member of both the Park and the Recreation boards, he is involved with school and booster groups, and he is active with Thoburn United Methodist Church. This strong sense of community is very important to John. He says he loves the fact that he can walk down the streets of St. Clairsville and know everyone. Further, he believes that personal and business support of the city, the schools, and our youth is what makes a community like ours successful.

“The parade is a huge team effort that depends upon participation by community groups and businesses, attendance by residents, lineup assistance from volunteers who make sure the parade entrants are where they need to be, and financial support from our members,” Chamber Executive Director Amy Aspenwall said. “We’re pleased to have not only Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep as this year’s title sponsor, but also additional advertising sponsors Country Club Retirement Campus, Cumberland Pointe Care Center, Kacsmar & Company, Ohio University Eastern, Porterfield Drive Thru, and Sayre Real Estate as well as sound sponsor Park Health and band sponsor Belmont County Safety Council. And we’re happy to be working with WTRF, Fox & ABC Ohio Valley to air the parade. It is wonderful to see all these businesses, groups and organizations come together to put on this event for our community.”

The parade will start from the fairgrounds at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov.18 and will travel Woodrow Avenue and Marietta Street before processing down Main Street at 6:30 p.m. and returning to the St. Clairsville High School.

Local high school bands, floats, dance marching units, and, of course, Santa himself will be featured in the parade. Awards will be given in each category of parade participants (floats, marching units, bands, mascots, etc.). All area high school bands are eligible to compete in the band category, and the Chamber encourages all bands to enter.

Kirke Porterfield of Porterfield Drive Thru chairs the Chamber Parade Committee, whose members include Brian Thomas of Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep, and chamber staffers Aspenwall and Aleysa Hendershot.

New to the tree lighting and parade this year is a collection point for the Fraternal Order of Police Associates Lodge No. 13’s Annual Toy Drive. Donations of new toys will be collected in a vehicle donated by Gatto Food Service, which will be located near the Christmas tree in downtown St. Clairsville. FOPA Lodge 13 invites local families and businesses to “Be the Spark … Light Up a Child’s Christmas” by donating a toy that night or by collecting toy donations at your business leading up to the parade and making a group donation. All donated toys will be given to local charities to help families right here in Belmont County. For more information about the toy drive, contact Tim Wilson at 695-2220 ext 103.

Each year the city’s tree is donated by a local resident. If you have a tree you would like to donate for the city’s Christmas tree, please contact Kathy Kaluger in the mayor’s office at 740 695-1324.

Everyone is welcome to take part in the parade and line Main Street on Nov. 18 to join the community for the Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Holidays on the Hilltop Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade!