Washington Christmas parade joined by new market
Old traditions and new festivities will mingle Friday as the Washington Christmas parade and Downtown Washington Holiday Market come to town.
An event for more than 30 years, the parade will feature more than 100 floats, bands, dance teams and more, making their way from Immaculate Conception Church, 119 W. Chestnut St., up to Main Street.
The Christmas tree outside Washington County Courthouse will be lit at 7 p.m.
“We’re hoping for a large crowd like last year,” said Pete Stefansky, manager of Washington Business District Authority, an event sponsor.
Cookies and hot chocolate will be dispersed along the parade route as strolling carolers make their way to Life Church, 100 N. Main St., and Community Pavilion on South Main Street, where a holiday market will be held from 3 to 10 p.m.
“We just wanted it to be a nice capstone to the tradition of the parade,” said Christy Bean Rowing, executive director of Washington Citywide Development Corp., one of the sponsors. “With 30-plus years of the parade, there wasn’t much room for improvement. With the market, we just wanted to keep developing a sense of community.”
Carole DeAngelo, O-R Plus event marketing manager, said staff has been eager to host an event in the pavilion, which was constructed across the street across from the Observer-Reporter office early this year.
“For us, this is just a wonderful, natural tie-in with the very popular Christmas parade,” she said.
There will be free activities for kids, including pictures with Santa Claus. More than 40 vendors, including some familiar faces from the farmers market held during the summer at the pavilion, will have food, warm drinks, locally made wines and spirits, and gifts available.
When preparations began, DeAngelo and other coordinators hoped at least a few artisans and businesses would participate.
“There has been amazing local support,” she said. “It’s another show of why these community events are so successful in Washington County.”
Rowing encouraged people to come out and spend time with their neighbors.
“We encourage people to get to know the different parts of the community that are so wonderful,” Rowing said. “All of us involved want it to be something that continues for years.”
Canonsburg will host its own festivities Friday, when the borough and the Greater Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce host a light-up night. Events start at 6 p.m. at the municipal building, 68 E. Pike St., with Mt. Olive Baptist Church carolers. A tree-lighting ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. with first responders lighting their vehicles, as well.
At both the Washington market and Canonsburg light-up night, unwrapped new toys will be collected for Toys For Tots.
In addition to the CDC, Range Resources, Budd Baer, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Miller’s Ace Hardware, Community Bank and Bonnie Loya of Coldwell Banker are sponsors of the holiday market.