Despite Detour, Santa Finds Way To Wheeling’s Fantasy in Lights Parade

Eric Ayres

WHEELING -- The Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade held Friday night may likely go down as one of the most memorable Christmas parades in Wheeling's recent history - not just because it kicked off the holiday season in grand fashion, but also because of its unusual detour into Center Wheeling this year.

Avoiding the major construction zone of the Streetscape project with Main and Market streets lined with orange barrels throughout the downtown area, the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and parade organizers shifted away from the traditional parade route and brought the wildly popular annual event to Center Wheeling. The procession kicked off around 24th Street and made its way up Main Street past Main Street Bank before turning onto 20th Street and disbanding.

The holiday tradition marching through non-traditional territory made for an event that stood out from those of years past.

Mother Nature threatened to make this year's parade a gloomy one, with steady rain soaking the Ohio Valley throughout the day on Friday. Yet -- like another Christmas miracle - the rain tapered into a mist just as the parade kicked off, and not long afterward, it stopped altogether, giving way to an unseasonably mild and comfortable evening to be outdoors.

"We got great weather. Somehow it broke loose, and we did great," said Rich Lucas, president and CEO of Main Street Bank, which once again served as the title sponsor for the Fantasy in Lights Parade. "The quality of the parade is wonderful. They do such a great job planning. I watched the entire thing, and there was not a hiccup. We had a great crowd - everybody came out to enjoy the evening and get ready for the Christmas season."

Eric Ayres

Grand Marshal Michael “The Fort” McKenry, former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher and now member of the Pirates broadcast team, gets the crowds going along the parade route.

Grand Marshal Michael "The Fort" McKenry, former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher and now member of the Pirates broadcast team, gets the crowds going along the parade route.

Even when the steady showers were threatening to dampen spirits before the parade commenced, hoards of people lined the streets to get a good spot for viewing. No one seemed to be fazed by the damp conditions, as people of all ages gathered along the streets in rain ponchos, under umbrellas and even beneath pop-up canopies to stay dry.

"I've been here through rain before - and snow, and below-freezing temperatures," said Tim White, who traveled all the way from Bolivar, Ohio, to attend the widely renowned Christmas parade in Wheeling. "I come here every year, and have for the past 25 years. I have friends in the area, and everybody comes down for it."

Regular attendees to the Main Street Bank Fantasy in lights parade remember last year's brutally frigid conditions, which made this year's slightly damp but fairly warm-for-November weather quite cozy.

"It's not too cold out," said Amanda Lovejoy of Wheeling, whose boys Aiden, 13, and Paul, 11, marched in the Boy Scouts Troop 6 unit near the beginning of the procession before the family joined her to watch the rest of the parade. "If we weren't here, we'd be making some popcorn and watching it at home. It's a tradition."

The parade once again hosted several marching bands, dance troops, floats from local businesses and service organizations, and a number of other entries - all waving to onlookers and doing their best to spread holiday cheer.

Crowds erupted into applause when first responders and U.S. military and veterans units marched or rolled through, letting them know that their service was appreciated.

The grand marshal for this year's parade did his best to pump up the crowd, as well. Former catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team Michael "The Fort" McKenry - now part of the Pirates' broadcast team - was joined by his crew on the grand marshal float right smack in the middle of the procession.

Once again, the Wheeling Park High School Patriots Band marched toward the very end of the parade, belting out holiday tunes and getting everyone ready for the eagerly anticipated arrival of Santa Claus, who anchored the parade at the end. Santa stopped and got off his float to light the Main Street Bank Christmas tree and to greet children gathered there at the end of the parade route.

"I promise I'll try to bring some colder weather and snow next year," Santa chuckled. "Merry Christmas!"