Youngstown ushers in season with lights, parade

By GRAIG GRAZIOSI

ggraziosi@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Holiday Parade

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Sights and sounds from tonight’s holiday parade in downtown Youngstown.

Youngstown Christmas Parade

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Thousands of voices counted down from 10 in unison Friday night on Central Square.

At the count of one, strands of colored lights wrapped around this year’s Christmas tree burst to life, and the gathered revelers cheered as the city’s holiday season officially began downtown.

Before the tree lighting, the onlookers watched a cavalcade of floats, performers and politicians march along Federal Street in the annual Youngstown Holiday Parade.

Along with the main event – put on by a partnership among the city, Youngstown CityScape and Home Savings Bank, Youngstown Flea was hosting its Holiday Flea event at the DeYor Performing Arts Center across from Home Savings on Federal Street, Youngstown Cinema presented a showing of “The Wizard of Oz” in the Knox Building, the Youngstown Phantoms played a hockey game at Covelli Centre, Youngstown State University’s Student Activities sponsored a dueling pianos performance at Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts, and the OH WOW! Children’s Center was open with free admission.

During the parade, Linda Benedict stood along the route with her daughter, Cassie Williams, and her grandchildren, Kaydence, Maggie and Travis. When a white horse drawing a large red sleigh rolled along the parade route, Benedict excitedly pointed out its rider to her youngest grandchild.

“Look who it is! It’s Santa!” she said.

Williams laughed and noted her young son’s blossoming smile at the mention of the Jolly Old Elf in the red suit.

Along with Santa and his sleigh, the parade also featured marching bands from Ursuline, East, Wellsville, United, East Liverpool, West Branch and Lakeview high schools as well as several businesses and a number of local politicians, including several city council members as well as Mayor John A. McNally and Mayor-elect Jamael “Tito” Brown.

“The turnout tonight has been amazing, and this year’s parade was the best I’ve seen yet,” Brown said. “We’re going to keep these traditions going and hopefully keep improving on them every year.”

Home Savings established a grant to help bring the marching bands to the parade, giving each band $1,000 for their time preparing and participating in the parade.

Even a few special animals made appearances during the parade, with a troop of alpacas and llamas from the Lucky Llama 4-H Club trotting along the parade route and Raja, a 240-pound American mastiff service dog who serves as the mascot for Saint Francis Pet Care soaking in love and wonder from many in the crowd.

Before and after the parade, popular local band “The Vindys” performed a variety of their original music, as well as covers and Christmas tunes.

Michael McGiffin, Youngstown’s coordinator of events and special projects, said this year’s turnout was “immense” and he’s thankful for the participation of the various partners involved in pulling off the event.

“We had at least 650 participants in the parade alone this year,” McGiffin said. “Everyone involved did a phenomenal job.”