He worries about things like traffic patterns, staging areas, police and fire coverage, and likely where he and his wife will watch with their sons and grandchildren.
At least, that is, when it comes to the annual Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade each November.
The very, very last aspect of the event ever considered by Wheeling City Manager Bob Herron is the naming of the event’s grand marshal. Last year the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce honored Health Right Executive Director Kathie Brown, Rev. Darrell Cummings, and Erik Estrada from the 1970s TV show “CHiPs” with grand marshal status.
And this year the Chamber named Debbie Green Race founder Ronnie Green as one of this year’s co-Grand Marshals for his years of public service. Green founded the 5K race 25 years ago in honor of his sister, Debbie, who passed away from leukemia when he was a child. The event, always staged in downtown Wheeling, raised more than $1.5 million that was distributed to 45 different families with a child battling some form of cancer.
The other co-Grand Marshal?
Yup. And why not?
During his two decades in Wheeling, Herron has guided six city councils and three different mayors while orchestrating Home Rule initiatives, tax increment financing districts, a plethora of city-wide infrastructure improvements, the resurrection of Centre Market, the redevelopment of several playgrounds, and the purchase, maintenance, and sale of the former Ohio Valley Medical Center campus.
“I am honored to have been asked to be one of two grand marshals for the parade because our Christmas parade is one of the highlights of the year, and it kicks off the Christmas season in the area,” Herron said. “It’s really a first-class event and the Wheeling Chamber of Commerce does a tremendous job with it.
“People really look forward to it and I know there are bands and dance troupes out there practicing for it, and there are people building their floats already,” he said. “I know I have enjoyed our Christmas parade for many years not only as the city manager, but also as a resident of the city. So, yes, it really a nice honor and it’s very humbling for me.”
Hang a Left!
To say Main and Markets streets are uneven surfaces would be stating the very, very least, but two years of construction on the sewer systems, gas and water lines, and stormwater separation has left a lot of scars.
The work, though, was performed in preparation for the two-year, $32 million “streetscape” project that soon will begin in the downtown. All roads, curbs, and sidewalks between 10th and 16th streets will be replaced as will the lighting, trees, and all signalization. Triton Construction Inc. was awarded the contract and the City of Wheeling is responsible for just $2 million.
For those reasons, parade officials shortened the route by turning left onto 12th Street instead of on 10th, and that means popular viewing places like Market Plaza and the Capitol Theatre will be vacant.
“I spoke with the parade planners last week about the parade route and I believe everyone is pleased with it,” Herron reported. “It’s what needed to be developed, and who knows, it may even become the permanent route. That’s something we’ll have to discuss in the future. There are circumstances that made it necessary this year and because of that situation, it was a good opportunity to experiment with things they’ve wanted to do with the route.
“The streetscape project still will be taking place at this time next year so we’ll take a look and see what has to be done to continue the parade,” he explained. “After that project is completed, the officials with the Chamber will have the chance to change it back or keep it the way it way, but I know we’re good for this year and we’ll do what we need to next year.”
