The colorful displays of the Holiday Lights at Civitan Park are seen on a recent evening. (Photo by Art Smith)

BELPRE — A host of new activities are joining Belpre’s annual Lighted Christmas Parade for a day-long event on Saturday.

The city’s inaugural Christmas Crawl will feature seasonal offerings from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., including the parade, an interactive showing of “The Polar Express” and the new Belpre Christmas Market in the glow of the Holiday Lights at Civitan Park.

The market is offered from 5-9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at the park, featuring local vendors in holiday market cabins, hot cocoa and seasonal treats and a Christmas carousel.

The scope of the festivities will grow like the Grinch’s heart on Saturday, with events throughout Belpre, according to a release from the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Carrie Arnold, director of the Belpre Christmas Lights Pageant, said she started getting “the Christmas itch” this fall and reached out to Gary Webb, pastor of the Belpre Church of the Nazarene, and Mayor Susan Abdella. Some events like the Christmas Market and “Polar Express” screening were already in the works, and they brought in more participants.

A sternwheeler rendered in Christmas lights illuminates a portion of Civitan park in Belpre. It’s among the Holiday Lights displays in the park, where the new Belpre Christmas Market is held Fridays and Saturdays and where some of the many activities for Saturday’s Christmas Crawl are planned. (Photo by Art Smith)

“There’s just so much darkness in the world around us, and I just remember everything at Christmas as a child … the memories we made, and I wanted to bring that to our community,” Arnold said. “We’ve got as many people involved as we can.”

The schedule for Saturday is:

¯ 8 a.m. to noon – Breakfast with Santa at the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department, featuring live art by J.D. Williamson, plus Elf on the Shelf and Frosty.

¯ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Christmas Market at Belpre Elementary, offering holiday shopping with kids’ activities.

¯ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Ornament making at Belpre Church of the Nazarene.

¯ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Ohio Valley Opry Christmas Open House; handmade gifts, refreshments, backstage tours, Christmas carols and more.

¯ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Pet Pictures with Santa Paws at The Dashing Dog.

¯ All day – Healthy Hustle and Flower Daddy Scavenger Hunt.

¯ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – “The Muppets Christmas Carol” interactive movie and gift-wrapping station at Belpre Library.

¯ Noon to 3 p.m. – Diva Sisters Holiday Shop and Butcher Block specials, including photos with Santa and a visit from the Grinch.

¯ 1-2 p.m. – Stories with Santa at the Belpre Library

¯ 1-2 p.m. – Santa Workout at Strength Warehouse

¯ 2 p.m. – Belpre Elementary Choir Performance at Farmers Castle Museum

¯ 6 p.m. – Lighted Christmas Parade, starting at Belpre High School. Santa will greet families at the gazebo in Civitan Park following the parade.

¯ 7 p.m. – “The Polar Express” interactive movie at Bob’s Market.

¯ 7 p.m. – Santa and Friends at Civitan Park.

¯ 7-9 p.m. – The Trolley Christmas Lights Tour at Civitan Park.

¯ 7:30 p.m. – Ugly Sweater Contest at Civitan Park.

¯ 8 p.m. – Community Christmas Caroling at Civitan Park.

Arnold noted that the caroling is tentative right now, given the forecasted cold temperatures.

The Lighted Christmas Parade brings together local organizations, schools, businesses and community groups as they showcase floats and displays and families line the streets.

“The Polar Express” interactive movie experience features an immersive showing of the holiday classic with themed moments, hot cocoa and surprises designed to bring the story to life.

Families are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating.

Arnold said she hopes the market and the Christmas Crawl add to Belpre’s annual holiday traditions.

“I just want Belpre to come together for Christmas,” she said. “We’re very, very excited.”