By Jim Hunt for the News and Journal
As the temperatures drop in November, one positive note is that the holidays are right around
the corner. Thanksgiving is first and then the Winterfests and the Light Up nights are soon to
follow. Christmas decorations start to appear, and the stores fill up with shoppers. There is not
the crush of days gone by since many people have transitioned to online shopping and the
Amazon truck has replaced Santa’s sleigh.
This year, local communities have stepped up their celebrations and from the looks of the
crowds, the public has embraced these community celebrations in a big way. In our family, we
began the Thanksgiving holiday by heading to Shinnston, to participate in the 2023 Turkey Trot.
The turnout this year was large, and everyone seemed to get in the spirit of the holiday. Hot
Chocolate, donuts, face painting and disc jockeys, filled the parking lot for the beginning of the
race. As local police and organizers secured the race route, several hundred runners and
walkers, headed through Main Street while I walked with my granddaughters, Sadie, and
Emery. As we found a spot on the route to wait for our family members, Sadie sat on Emery’s
lap and waited to see her mom and dad, run by. It was a great start to a day of visiting and
eating turkey and pumpkin pie and we were thankful to burn off a few calories, early in the day.
The next event in the area was the Light Up Night in Bridgeport. This has become a huge event
with hundreds of families filling the streets of the city and enjoying singing and various goodies,
awaiting the lighting of the tree in front of the Benedum Center. We have attended this event
in the past but were not able to go to this year’s program. By all accounts, it was another
successful evening and the weather cooperated to welcome in the season.
Clarksburg’s Winterfest was the next event on the docket, and it featured one of the largest
parades in recent history. Over 125 entrants took over two hours to traverse the streets of the
county seat and the steady rain that had been falling for most of the day, took a break to allow
the parade participants to dance and wave to the large crowd. There was a great show of
support from throughout the region and the Bridgeport High School and Doddridge County
High School bands were there in full uniform. They joined the Liberty High School band and the
Robert C. Byrd High School band, who preceded the Clarksburg Fire Department’s Ladder Truck
with Santa Claus on top, as is the tradition. Children along the parade route took home bags of
candy which was thrown to them by beauty queens, dancers, elected officials and others.
It was heartwarming to see the families in our area turn out and give their children lifelong
memories of a peaceful time leading up to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. I’ve only
mentioned three of the dozens of celebrations in our area. Buckhannon had a parade and
celebration, as well as Shinnston, and Weston. I’m sure I have missed some along the way, but
thanks to all these communities who worked together to put on these wonderful events.
Enjoy these times and have an Amazing holiday season!