File photo THE 2019 PARADE — This scene marked the look of the 2019 Steubenville Christmas Parade which was marked by cold temperatures and rain. After missing the event in 2020 due to restrictions, organizers are preparing for its return on Saturday.

STEUBENVILLE – The Eastern Gateway Community College Christmas Sounds and Sounds Parade returns to downtown Steubenville on Saturday after a year-long hiatus.

Parade planner Mary Snyder said she was delighted to report that all systems were gone.

“I am very excited about the parade, especially since it was canceled last year”, she said, “So it’s been two years. I am very happy with his return this year, everything is going well. There were a lot of last minute changes as always but we are very excited and the weather is now improving for Saturday. Hopefully the weather will be nice and everyone have a good day.

Snyder said 75 units had entered the parade so far, including five groups as well as floats, dance studios and vehicles. The parade begins at noon and will move south on Fourth Street starting at North Street and ending at South Street.

“We will have a lot of variety”, Snyder said. “We have tanks, martial arts groups and other performers taking to the streets. We will have horses and the humanitarian society brings doggies. We will have a lot of tanks, one of them was really a favorite.

“One that’s been a favorite, a special, Eastern Construction always… takes some of their big, heavy equipment and builds a huge float, and they tell me they’re going to outdo the last couple of years. “ she said. “I can’t imagine it, but they put on the paperwork that it would be 75 feet – that’s big.”

The parade will not be televised this year, so Snyder said they expected more attendance.

Volunteers from the Lions Club, amateur radio members from the Tri-county Emergency Radio Association (TERA) and Historic Fort Steuben will be on site at 8:30 am to close the streets and extinguish the numbered cones indicating the parade placement.

“Programming begins at Ross Street and will descend to North Street”, said Jerry Barilla, president of Historic Fort Steuben and the Visitor Center and mayor of Steubenville. “The units (start) arrive at 10:30 am in shifts until they are all ready to depart when the parade actually begins at noon. Steubenville High School graciously opens its doors to parade participants to use the restroom and warm up while waiting for the event to begin.

Barilla is excited about this year’s parade. “A parade is an opportunity to bring everyone together for a positive experience. It is the spirit of Christmas that can be seen and heard!

Many familiar entries from years gone by will be on Fourth Street this Saturday, including the Osiris Tin Lizzies, Boy Scouts, Jefferson County Humane Society Dogs, and the Town of Steubenville Fire Trucks. New entrances will come from Turn 3 Horse Training with Horses and Friends of Beatty Park, while a fire engine train will be added to the entrance to Historic Fort Steuben this year.

This year again, Santa Claus will come to town in a special tanker sleigh donated by Steel Valley Tanks.

“Our Grand Marshal will be Richard Pflug and his wife Heidi”, Barilla said. “Richard was a longtime businessman in the city and a quiet donor to many organizations. Trinity Health System sponsored the beautiful carriage they will ride in. And we are once again grateful to Eastern Gateway Community College for being the title sponsor of the parade.

Barilla said the Fort Steuben Park Advent Market will be open to parade spectators.