Gems of the valley march in parade

PARKERSBURG - With everything from marching bands to high-stepping majorettes to politicians, the Parkersburg Homecoming Parade marched down Market Street on Saturday afternoon.

Parade organizer Lori Ullman-Wright said the parade - with the theme "Parkersburg - A Gem Along the Ohio River" - went well.

"It really went pretty smoothly," she said. "We had 136 units in the parade. Since it was a political year we expected them and that increases the number some. They were all very nicely run and we had a nice, wonderful day."

Article Photos

Getting the crowd to cheer during the Parkersburg Homecoming Parade is the Parkersburg High School Big Red, Carter Rice, followed by members of the PHS Red Wings dance troupe. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

Getting ready for the Parkersburg Homecoming Parade are members of the trumpet line of the Parkersburg South High School Patriot Band, from left, Matt Papesh, Aaron Cronin, Makayla Lawson, Julie Birney and Ben Wilson. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

Making their first appearance in the Parkersburg Homecoming Parade were members of the Mid-Ohio Valley Ghost Hunters. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

There were a few new units in the parade and a crowd favorite of past years had an increased presence.

"The Shriners are always a part of the parade and they have other Shrines come in and it's a great part of the parade, they interact with the crowd and they love them," she said, "The Zombie Walk and Haunted Parkersburg are also new and they were really neat to have."

Ullman-Wright said the parade benefited from a cooler day on Saturday and several volunteers in the background that helped to get the parade off to a good start.

Local historian Bob Enoch was named the grand marshal for the parade, she said.

For Jim Scarberry from Myrtle Beach, S.C., Saturday's parade reminded him of events in small towns.

"My wife is from Parkersburg and we come every year to see her family and come to the Homecoming," he said. "I'm from Logan County, W.Va., and this parade reminds me of what I saw in small towns growing up. You don't see things like this in resort towns."

Fact Box

Parade Winners

NON-COMMERCIAL

* First: Cub Scout Pack 12

* Second: Parkersburg Zombie Walk

* Third: Tri City Bullets Cheerleading

COMMERCIAL

* First: Frontier Communications

* Second: Crazy Bone Dog Salon

* Third: WRA Mini Wedges

Scarberry said the atmosphere at the parade was good.

"Things like this show there is a lot of support for the local schools, churches and fire departments," he said.

Casey Powell said her daughter, Aniya, was waiting for one thing.

"She likes fire trucks," she said. "We're waiting for them."

Linda Smith said she was at the parade with her grandchildren.

"I have one who's waiting for the old cars, he likes any old car," she said.

Smith said overall she enjoyed the parade.

"It's been a good one," she said. "It looks like there are a lot more people here and in the parade than last year."

Source: http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/564270.html

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