(Photo by Brett Dunlap) The Parkersburg High School Marching Band participated Saturday in the 15th Annual Parkersburg Easter Parade in downtown Parkersburg.

PARKERSBURG — The 15th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade came hopping through downtown Parkersburg Saturday afternoon as people gathered to celebrate the upcoming holiday’s arrival.

Whether having colorful decorations, an appearance by the Easter Bunny or highlighting the theme of Christ’s resurrection, participants showed a variety of themes in floats throughout the parade.

Parade organizer Kiki Angelos said there were around 90 participants in the parade, representing area businesses, churches, civic organizations, schools and others.

“It was awesome and wonderful,” she said. “It was everything that we wanted.

“We had beautiful weather which made it easier to have so many participants.”

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Ty Stump of Parkersburg colors decorative eggs Saturday along Market Street as he was awaiting the start of the 15th annual Parkersburg Easter Parade.

They had commitments from many participants who had signed up early and then they got a number of participants who came to them and signed up over the past week, Angelos said.

People lined up along Market Street as the parade procession made its way downtown.

“The crowds were unbelievable and they were happy,” Angelos said. “The kids were able to get a lot of candy.”

She commended her parade committee who has been holding regular meetings to plan out the parade.

“This year the parade was way bigger than it was last year,” Angelos said.

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Leo Green of Vienna collects candy that was handed out during the 15th Annual Parkersburg Easter Parade that was held in downtown Parkersburg Saturday afternoon.

Jubilee McNabb of Parkersburg came out with her kids, Ty Stump and Esther Skidmore to have a good time, see their older sister Lena Skidmore in the parade and to see the kids hopefully get plenty of candy.

She thought that Parkersburg having an Easter Parade was something unique that not all communities do, but is thankful it is done here.

“It is different because growing up we didn’t have one when I was younger, but it is a nice break from all the winter and all the sickness,” she said. “It is getting through the winter and having something nice to look forward to in the spring.

“I am sure it is a lot to put together but we are glad they do it.”

Representatives of the local Gideons International chapters were handing out copies of the New Testament along Market Street to the crowds gathered.

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) The Parkersburg South High School Marching Band participated in the 15th Annual Parkersburg Easter Parade Saturday along Market Street in Parkersburg.

Jim Matheny of the South Parkersburg Chapter said they had around a dozen people handing out the books.

They were planning to hand out 400-600 copies, he said.

Matheny said the parade is a good time to remind people about what Easter means.

“We think this is something good to have in the spring,” he said. “We don’t know what we might be facing.

“It gives us a chance to pass out the scriptures.”

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) The Nemesis Shrine Motorized Unit participated Saturday in the 15th Annual Parkersburg Easter parade along Market Street in downtown.

Lindsay Green of Vienna was out with her husband and 4-year-old son, Leo.

She said Leo was especially excited to see the Easter Bunny and get some candy.

“I think it is wonderful,” she said of the Mid-Ohio Valley having this parade. “It gives us something to look forward to every year.

“It is also a great opportunity to get some yummy candy.”

There were categories for judging the parade participants, commercial and non-commercial, with the Gift Gallery winning first for commercial and Downtown Hustle winning first for non-commercial. Dashing Dogs Spa and Auto Aid followed up with second and third for commercial and the Wood County-Parkersburg Library Book Mobile and the Parkersburg Actors Guild coming in second and third for non-commercial.

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) A member of the Wayward Dancers of the Parkersburg YMCA was part of a number of dancers from the group to participate Saturday in the 15th annual Parkersburg Easter Parade through downtown Parkersburg.

The judges were Amy Phelps of the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, Jess Mancini of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel and Joe Oliverio of the State Council for Community and Technical Colleges.

The parade committee will be meeting soon to see what can be done next year, Angelos said.

“We will see what we can do to make it even better,” she said.

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) The Easter Bunny rides on top of one of the tower trucks of the Parkersburg Fire Department in the 15th annual Easter Parade held Saturday in downtown Parkersburg.

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Cast members of the Parkersburg Actors Guild”s production of “Oliver” walked along Market Street and handed out candy in the 15th annual Easter Parade in downtown Parkersburg Saturday afternoon.

(Photo by Brett Dunlap) Members of Downtown Hustle do dance moves along the parade route Saturday afternoon for the 15th Annual Parkersburg Easter parade in downtown. The group won first place overall for noncommercial parade entry.