Marlinton Opens Holiday Season With Festive Christmas Parade

Marlinton, WV – The holiday season officially began on Friday night in Marlinton with the annual Christmas parade and Santa Claus visit.

Town workers and Mayor Joe Smith had prepared for the event by adorning Main Street and Gazebo Park with splendiferous Christmas decorations.

The parade followed a different route than in previous years. Rather than traveling east on Main Street, the procession moved west, and culminated at the Greenbrier River Bridge. A brilliantly decorated gazebo, in the middle of which sat a plushly-cushioned armchair, awaited the arrival of Saint Nick.

Singing Christmas carols, Girls Scouts led the parade as it wound through the streets of downtown Marlinton. The Pocahontas County High School and Middle School bands provided musical entertainment as they proceeded through town. A variety of characters aboard gaudy floats – including a model steam train from Snowshoe Mountain resort – threw candy to children along the parade route.

The flashing lights of a fire engine signaled the arrival of Santa Claus. Mr. Kringle, riding on the vehicle’s front bumper, disembarked at Gazebo Park, where a long line of children had already formed to visit with the kindly, rotund gentleman. The crowd cheered the arrival of the bearded traveler, who quickly assumed his seat in the gazebo.

Despite his busy schedule, Santa remained for two hours and listened to every youngster’s Christmas wishes. Kringle assured the children that, if they were good, he would visit their homes on Christmas morning and do his best to fulfill their wishes. Every child visiting with Claus received a surprise gift.

St. Nicholas had reportedly arrived at Stillwell Park, in a snow sleigh, pulled by eight caribou. After speaking to every child, the holiday visitor, clad in an insulated red suit with white fur trim, hurried off toward Stillwell.

To see a photo slideshow of Marlinton’s Christmas parade and Santa’s visit, see the AMR website at www.alleghenymountainradio.org. Anyone who would like to receive a full-size digital photograph from the event, suitable for printing, can call the radio station at 799-6004 and have one emailed to them.