LIBBY KINNUNEN, 5, of Sheffield Township, left, and her friend Zoe Wiley, 5, of Geneva dress in
layers Saturday to watch the parade in Jefferson. BILL WEST
Published December 07, 2008 12:55 am - For the past five years, attending the annual Jefferson Christmas parade has become sort of a tradition for Melissa Hill.
Jefferson braves the cold at annual Christmas parade
By STACY MILLBERG - Staff Writer - smillberg@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
JEFFERSON — For the past five years, attending the annual Jefferson Christmas parade has become sort of a tradition for Melissa Hill.
Saturday, the tradition lived on for Hill even despite bitter temperatures in the low 20s, biting winds and glistening snow which covered the streets. Hill, along with hundreds of other Jefferson residents, braved the elements to kick-off the Christmas season.
When she first started attending the parade, Hill took her three daughters for a little mother-daughter bonding. This year, one of her daughters was singing with the Jefferson Area High School choir in the gazebo.
“It’s become a family thing,” she said.
The parade began at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds and made its way down Chestnut Street with the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce leading the way. Several area fire departments also participated in the parade including Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, Plymouth Township Volunteer Fire Department, Austinburg Township Volunteer Fire Department, Sheffield Township Volunteer Fire Department, Dorset Township Volunteer Fire Department and Rome Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Community Care Ambulance Network and Jefferson Emergency Rescue District also participated as well as several church groups, the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School and Phillips Photography, complete with Nora the reindeer in tow.
The Ashtabula County Young Marines were poised to perfection despite the cold temperatures. Truckers Helping Hands had several semi trailers decorated with Christmas lights and one carrying the Ashtabula County Special Olympics athletes as well as a giant snowglobe.
The real treat came at the very end, when Santa arrived on a train made out of Christmas lights. The float was sponsored by the Delta Railroad Co.
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