LOCAL VILLAGES are gearing up for the holiday season and preparing for their annual Christmas parades and events.

The village of Shadyside will host its parade at 7 p.m. Friday. Lineup is at 6 p.m. at the high school.

Registration is still open. Anyone interested in registering to be in the parade can contact Bobbi Jo Kinemond at Shadyside Flower Shop at 740-676-3202 or 740-391-0767 or Dena Patt at Farmers Insurance at 740-676-7500.

According to a post on the Shadyside Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page, the parade welcomes local churches, families, businesses and clubs to participate.

The Shadyside Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a house decoration contest. Participants must have their homes decorated before the parade and must register by picking up a form at Shadyside Flower Shop, Huntington Bank or WesBanco Bank. There will be cash prizes for the top three homes chosen and a random drawing.

Winners will be announced at 1 p.m. Dec. 16 at Shadyside Flower Shop during the chamber’s Village Christmas Shopping Day, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature craft vendors, snacks and discounts at local businesses. Visit the Shadyside Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or call 740-695-9623 for more details.

Flushing’s Christmas parade will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday. Lineup will start at 9 a.m. at Schuler Park.

Before the parade, Santa will join residents for breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Flushing Methodist Church.

The Flushing Volunteer Fire Department will also open up its kitchen at 9 a.m. and host a craft show from 9 a.m. to noon at FVFD Hall.

Although the village of Holloway does not host a parade, the tree lighting ceremony will take place at dusk around 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be hot cocoa and cookies for attendees to enjoy.

The Powhatan Point Volunteer Fire Department will host its second annual “Santa in the Village Parade” at 6 p.m. Saturday. Line up and registration will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Home, located at 186 Main Street.

“This event will have numerous great floats, trophies and all around a great time for one and all,” EMS Lt. Ian Eller said.

For more information about the parade, contact Fire Chief Ben Taylor at 740-391-3387 or Eller at 740-338-7752 or ian.eller11@gmail.com.

The Harrison County Lighted Christmas Parade in the village of Cadiz will also be at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The parade will begin on Grant Street and travel to South Main Street. The route will continue through the downtown area.

After the parade, Santa will be at the firehouse for photos and greetings. Pictures, treat bags and snacks will be provided. The Cadiz Lions Club, Meadows of Cadiz Nursing Home and Rehabilitation and Tammy Dixson Photography are supporting the events.

Bethesda, as part of its sixth annual “Bethesda Hometown Christmas” event, will host its parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 9. Lineup will start at 5:30 p.m. on Virginia Street near the new Bethesda Pizza Parlor location.

The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place after the parade. After the ceremony, Santa will be available for pictures at the Veterans Memorial Plaza. If it rains or snows, Santa will visit the firehouse for photos.

Bridgeport Fire Department will host its Christmas parade at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10.

Lineup begins at noon at the former Moore’s Music Emporium on Lincoln Avenue. The route will begin on Howard Street near Economy Auto and travel down Howard Street to Stop 10 Bridge. The route will then travel on Main Street and end at the police and fire department for judging.

Trophies will be awarded for best float, best youth participant, best business participant, best marching band, best theme, best use of music, best religious entry and best overall. Ribbons will be given out to all participants.

For more information, message the Bridgeport Fire Department on Facebook or call 740-635-9999.

The village of Belmont has several activities scheduled, including Belmont Christmas with Cops. Children must be entered for the event by Dec. 7. To enter, parents should message Police Chief Andrew Miller on Facebook. Children who live within the village will have a chance to win a shopping trip with officers at Walmart — two boys and two girls will be randomly selected. Other registered children who reside in village limits will get a special visit from Santa on Dec. 13. Children who live outside the village and register can meet at Belmont Mills on Dec. 13 for a visit from Santa, but they are not eligible for the shopping trip prize. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support this effort, and unwrapped gifts can be donated by leaving them at the village offices in the gym.

Breakfast with Santa will take place from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the gym. Breakfast will include pancakes, eggs, sausage and juice, and there will be activities for children. The event is free, thanks to donations from McDona;d’s of Morristown and others.

The Belmont Christmas tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at the tree on South Bridge Street. There will be free hot chocolate and cookies by Little Annie’s Sweets. Kathy Scott will light the tree in honor of her late husband, former councilman Dan Scott.

In Barnesville, Christmas in the Ville will be celebrated this Friday beginning at 5 p.m. and all day Saturday. This event features extended business hours for downtown shops, numerous vendors and a synthetic ice skating rink. The Christmas parade takes place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.