Waynesburg shows Christmas spirit
For the Chamber of Commerce and Longstreth, putting on this event is a tradition for the Waynesburg community and is proud to be running it.
“It is quite a large undertaking. We start in September of every year with preparations,” said Longstreth. “On Saturday, I had a team of 41 volunteers, members of the Bureau Police Force and the Sheriff’s department, and members of the Greene Community Church.”
This event not only kicks off the Christmas season but is the largest event of the year.
“For the Chamber, it’s our largest community service project, and as an organization, we do several community projects throughout the year but this by far is the largest,” said Longstreth.
Community members gather along the streets to watch the parade to get ready for the Christmas season.
Recently retired from Waynesburg University, Barbra Mooney said, “[The Christmas Parade] brings you to Christmas. It brings you to the holiday’s and gets your spirit up.”
Mooney has attended four or five times to watch her kids and grandchildren participate in various dancing studio floats and clubs.
The Christmas parade participants include multiple local dance studios, Greene County marching bands and princesses, as well as Greene County and Waynesburg clubs and organizations’ floats which march during the parade and are judged for first, second and third place winners for the best designed floats.
Longstreth said, “I enjoy when the bands come down and see how hard the kids have worked. When they pass in front of you and sound good, look good, and are working as a team; I think that’s my favorite part.”
The music, Christmas gear and smiling faces makes the Christmas Parade a great kick-off for the holiday season.
The Chamber of Commerce certainly makes it their goal to have a start to the Christmas season by putting on such a community gathering.
“Thanks to a very long list of people, organizations and business that help pull this off every year because it certainly takes a small army every year to make this happen. Without their volunteerism, financial support, and donations, we wouldn’t have the ability to make this happen,” said Longstreth.