Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade returns | News, Sports, Jobs

One of the Jeeps of the Ohio Valley Jeep Club drives by during the 12th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade Saturday. (Photo by Larry Launstein Jr.)

PARKERSBURG — Neither the cold wind nor the rain could dampen the spirits of those who turned out for the 12th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade Saturday in downtown Parkersburg.

According to Kiki Angelos, the founder and organizer of the parade, the weather had everyone holding their breath.

“The rain held off during the parade, and we had a hailstorm after the parade was over,” she said. “I looked up and said, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’”

Angelos said there were more than 130 units in the parade.

“It was the biggest Easter Parade ever,” he said.

Area mayors ride an old Parkersburg Fire Department truck during the 12th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade Saturday. (Photo by Larry Launstein Jr.)

Catilin Dooley and Robert Morales, of Parkersburg, came to “bring the little one” — Braxton Dooley — to the parade, Catilin said.

Joceline Stevens, from Parkersburg, was taking it in for the first time in a while.

“I haven’t been to the parade in a long time,” she said.

Angelos spoke of the community and all it took for the parade to go off without a hitch.

“We got unbelievable community involvement, and I truly appreciate it,” she said. “And I’m very proud to say I live in the Mid-Ohio Valley. And I couldn’t have done it without the committee and wonderful community involvement.”

The 12th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade rolls down Market Street Saturday. (Photo by Larry Launstein Jr.)

The parade returned to its traditional format after being canceled in 2020 and having a reverse parade, with folks driving by stationary displays, in 2021, both due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Larry Launstein Jr can be reached at [email protected]

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The winning entries in this year’s Easter Parade were:

Commercial:

The 12th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade rolls down Market Street Saturday. (Photo by Larry Launstein Jr.)

* First: Grogg’s Home Services

* Second: Emerson Lanes

* Third: Gift Gallery of Vienna

Non-Commercial:

* First: Artsbridge

The Parkersburg High School Navy Junior ROTC unit marches in the 12th Annual mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade Saturday in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo by Larry Launstein Jr.)

* Second: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Parkersburg

* Third: South Parkersburg United Methodist Church

The Parkersburg South High School Marching Band passes in review at the 12th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade Saturday. (Photo by Larry Launstein Jr.)