County enjoys Reverse Christmas Parade
COVID-19 could not diminish the Christmas spirit in Greene County, as various holiday events were held recently.
Festivities began Dec. 4 with the annual Holiday Open House in downtown Waynesburg, presented by Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful, and continued Dec. 5 with more festivities that included the annual Breakfast with Santa event at the fairgrounds presented by the Greene County Department of Recreation and a visit by Santa for children at the Skyview Drive-In in Carmichaels.
Greene County Chamber of Commerce also presented its 82nd annual Christmas Parade Dec. 5, this year featuring the tradition with a twist – the first ever Reverse Christmas Parade.
To promote safety and adhere to COVID regulations, the event was held at the fairgrounds and units were stationed along a route while residents drove by to take part in the festivities.
This year’s parade, sponsored by First Energy Foundation, featured 30 stationary displays and 225 vehicles passing through. The displays included Santa and Mrs. Claus, who waved to children while seated on a 1925 American LaFrance Fire Engine.
Many organizations, agencies, businesses and individuals contributed to the parade.
The Waynesburg Rotary Club handled the decorations and set-up for Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves, who also handed out candy and treat bags to children that included candy sponsored by several local organizations, individuals and businesses, a book for each child from the Early Learning Resource Center and a mug with hot cocoa mix from WHS-Greene.
Adults received a candy cane, and dog visitors received a treat donated by Alex and Autumn Lee.
A special holiday music broadcast for units to listen to while on the route was coordinated by WANB Radio and Doug Wilson.
Two eight-foot live blue spruce Christmas trees were given away during the parade, compliments of the Greene County Historical Society and Bells Tree Farm.
Spectators were also able to enjoy music performed by a live band from Crosspoint Church; the Christian Motorcycle Association Highway Soldiers collected 91 toys and $280 in cash donations for the Toys For Tots campaign; and Corner Cupboard Food Bank collected 285 pounds of food and $755 in cash donations for the food bank.
The parade’s Grand Marshall was 2020 Miss Rain Day Alison Blair, who greeted guests in a white carriage belonging to Fred Kiger of Rocky Ridge Acres.
The judged float winners were:
n First Place – Early Learning Resource Center, “Welcome to Whoville.”
n Second place – Waynesburg Scout Troops #1280 and #9280, “Scouting for Santa.”
n Third place – R&D Watters Septic Service, “Merry Christmas from R&D.”
n Most original – State Rep. Pam Snyder and staff, “Buddy the Elf.”
n Most spirit – Lippencott Alpacas, “Christmas with the Alpacas.”
n Best Design – Pennsylvania 140th Volunteers, “A Civil War Christmas.”
The People’s Choice Award was won by Lippencott Alpacas for their float, “Christmas with the Alpacas.”
Miss Merry Christmas Molly Mylan of Jefferson-Morgan High School also took part in the festivities.