Martins Ferry prepares for Christmas parade

MARTINS FERRY -- Martins Ferry Fire Chief Tom Kelly Jr. announced that the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department's 36th annual Christmas parade will be hosted on Nov. 24.

The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. with lineup beginning at 4:30 p.m. near Jacob and Sons Quality Meats on Center Street.

According to a press release from Kelly, this year's parade will have a longer route. The parade will start on Center Street, and participants will make their way to Zane Highway. The parade will then travel south on Zane Highway to Hanover Street, then to Fourth Street, Jefferson Street and back to Zane Highway. The parade will then head north and end at the city park.

Fire Chief II Ron Hilton said that the fire department chose to extend the route so that more people and organizations could participate and so that more residents and community members could see the parade.

Kelly said he is expecting a good turnout this year from both participants and spectators.

"All the local fire departments, schools, organizations, bands, dance studios, church groups and businesses are invited to participate in the parade. We've gotten a good response from the invitations sent out so far," Kelly said.

Hilton said that anyone can register to participate in the parade. He said a registration table will be set up outside of Jacob and Sons Quality Meats on Center Street. Anyone who registers before the parade starts is welcome.

Hilton said that usually anywhere from 60 to 90 people and organizations participate in the parade each year. He said the fire department will not know how many entries will participate in the parade until the night of the event, but many people and organizations have already confirmed that they plan to take part.

"You can expect to see marching bands, dance clubs and, of course, a lot of fire trucks," Hilton said.

The fire department is also sponsoring free ice skating and bounce houses from 1-5 p.m. in the city park before the parade. Ice skates will be provided. The event will also feature food vendors.

Mayor John Davies posted on Facebook that the rec center after school program youth and volunteers will be giving out free food, hot chocolate, coffee, drinks and possibly ice cream from 1-5 p.m. or until all food is gone in the park.

"The rec center after school program youth and volunteers are so appreciative of the public and city support that we all decided we want to give back! ... We are so humbled by all the support we receive from everyone," he posted.

Any food vendors wanting to participate can contact Hilton at 740-921-8741. Vendors can set up free of charge.

After the parade, the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place in the park, and fireworks will follow.

"We are always appreciative of the continuous support given to the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department from all the businesses, civic organizations and small, private nonprofits. This event would not happen without their support," Kelly said.

"We just want to give back to the community. They have been so generous to the fire department, and we wanted to give them a big thanks," Hilton said.

Hilton added that he wanted to thank Kelly for making this year's parade possible.