An Introduction by Steve Novotney
Was the first Christmas parade in Wheeling in 1930, or in 1940?
That question is addressed on the Archiving Wheeling website, an off shoot of the Ohio County Public Library and a wealth of historical information on the region.
It was 79 years ago today, Sean Duffy reports, when a Christmas parade took place along Main and Market streets in downtown Wheeling but was it actually the 10th annual? One thing that is true is that it was a procession, according to photos available on Archiving Wheeling, that featured elaborate, inflated attractions atop floats that local businesses funded.
And that tradition has continued through the decades, but one major schedule change took place soon after the Oglebay Park Commission flipped the switch in 1985 for the annual Festival of Lights. Up until then, the city’s Christmas Parade was on Saturday afternoons.
Officials of the Wheeling Police Department advise local residents wishing to watch this evening’s parade to leave early to park in areas where parking meters are not bagged. Market Street closes to traffic at 5:30 p.m., and Main Street closes at 6:30 p.m.
James Thornton has published several volumes of history on the city of Wheeling, and those interested in purchasing one of them can do so by contacting him at cre8m@comcast.net, or visit the Creative Impressions website.
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