Crowds brave cold Parkersburg parade
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PARKERSBURG -- The 14th annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade made its way down the bunny trail this Saturday afternoon to a celebratory crowd awaiting the holiday's arrival.
Starting at 13th and Market Streets, this year's theme of the Easter Parade was 'Hopping Down the Bunny Trail'. In staying with the theme, Founder and Parade Organizer Kiki Angelos made it possible to have a live bunny in a stroller at the parade. The grand marshals of this year's Easter Parade were the WVU Cheerleaders. Some of the cheerleaders as well as their coach are from the surrounding area, according to Angelos.
"(The Easter Parade) was very successful and we were very glad that the rain held off," said Angelos. "People didn't mind the cold, thankfully. We are also thrilled that there were so many participants. It gives us such satisfaction to see all the faces of the community come out to the parade."
Angelos said the community involvement was larger than it has been years with new and different parade entries, as well as the Easter Bonnet and Hat contest.
Winners of the Easter Bonnet and Hat contest include:
≤Youth Winners
Sophia Leverett
Alyssa Deaton
Scarlet Mathess
≤Adult Winners
Carol Camp
Nancy Nunley
Angelos hopes to include new additions to next year's Easter Parade such as a Stations of the Cross portion along with including more community churches.
"It's exciting to see the community come together for the Mid-Ohio Valley," Angelos said. "And they also enjoy welcoming spring and Easter."
Parade attendees welcomed the season and holiday in, despite the cold weather Saturday, as the closer to the parade, the Easter Bunny, rode on a Parkersburg Fire Department fire engine.
"I want to thank my committee for helping put this wonderful parade together, the community for their support and enthusiasm, and the Mid-Ohio Valley participants and audience for coming out to enjoy the show," said Angelos.
Float winners include:
≤Commercial floats
First Place: Downtown Hustle
Gift Gallery
Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport
≤Non-commercial floats
Black Diamond Girl Scouts of Wood County Service Unit
Wood County Society
T & J Farms