MARTINS FERRY — Despite the weather reaching 28 degrees, Santa spent his Black Friday in Martins Ferry.

The Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department hosted its 38th annual Christmas parade on Black Friday evening.

The frigid temperatures were no match for the city’s residents, who showed up in droves to support the annual parade.

Liberty Engine Company 2nd Lt. Tom Regis said that the parade brings community pride and engagement, particularly for the children who enjoy seeing fire trucks, floats, and receiving candy.

“We run this every year and it brings the community pride and gets us interacting with the community, and especially the kids,” Regis said. “The kids love seeing the fire trucks and floats and, of course, the candy that comes off the fire trucks.”

Roughly 20 years ago, the MFVFD moved the annual parade to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is generally considered the kickoff to the holiday season.

Floats participating in the parade met at the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department’s firehouse at 4:30 p.m. and the parade got underway at 6:30 p.m. It started at Center Street to Zane Highway and headed south to Hanover Street. From Hanover, the route proceeded to Fourth Street, then to Jefferson Street, and from Jefferson to Zane Highway again, ending at the city park.

Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department Chief 1 Ron Hilton said that he is grateful for the nearly 100 entries who signed up to participate in the parade.

“We just want to put on a good show for the residents of Martins Ferry,” Hilton said. “It’s been a longstanding tradition throughout the Christmas season.”

He added that the community is very supportive of the fire department and the parade is its way of saying thank you for the support.

Regis said that the fire department also hosts Betty Zane Days and strives to play a positive part in bringing the community together.

He added that the parade wouldn’t be possible without the support from residents who continue to show up to the parade year after year for the parade.

Liberty Engine Company Capt. Joe Jozwiak said that this year’s parade didn’t have a title sponsor but instead was funded by donations made by individual residents.

“We’re very grateful for all of our local community who are very generous with donations to allow us to be able to have this,” Jozwiak said.

Liberty Engine Company 1st Lt. Dustin Smith believes keeping the tradition of the parade is important because it allows the community to gather and wait for Santa to come down the city streets.

“We’re trying to keep the Christmas spirit in town and it’s been going on for years and we’re doing our best to keep it going,” Smith said.