Photo by Niamh Coomey Attendees of the vigil were asked to wear blue, Carter Trowbridge’s favorite color.

More than 100 people gathered for a candlelight vigil at Grand Vue Park on Wednesday evening to honor Carter Trowbridge, the 16-year-old high school student who died in a Nov. 22 house fire in Moundsville.

The Dixon family, who were close friends of Trowbridges, organized the vigil. The online invitation encouraged attendees to wear blue, Carter’s favorite color. People also showed up with balloons and yellow roses, his favorite flower.

A playlist Trowbridge and his girlfriend made, along with some of his favorite songs, played as people streamed down the candle-lined path and onto the overlook at Grand Vue Park. Several photographs of Trowbridge were displayed and loved ones placed flowers on the ground surrounding them.

People of all ages wearing blue kept coming from the parking lot in droves, even as a light sprinkle of rain started on the hilltop.

After several people close to him made remarks, a slideshow of photographs of Trowbridge played at the hilltop shelter. Those who knew Trowbridge said he was an incredibly kind and joyous person who loved animals and had a lot of goals in life.

Trowbridge’s best friend Molly Dixon said Trowbridge had countless pet bunnies and reptiles he cared for. He was also “really into cosmetology” and loved styling hair.

“He was a great person. He had a lot of big dreams and he knew who he wanted to be. Even if people didn’t like that, he didn’t let them stop him,” she said.

Dixon, who helped plan the vigil, said she and Trowbridge knew each other for four or five years and hung out at least twice a week. Trowbridge’s friend group would often drive up to the overlook in Grand Vue Park, Dixon said, which is why they chose the spot for his vigil.

“Me and him and my other friend Owen, we were in a friend group for a really long time and it was just us, every day together,” she said.

Trowbridge’s girlfriend Lydia Francis said Trowbridge “made a lot of people happy” and always knew how to lighten the mood.

“He always knew how to put a smile on everyone’s faces. If you were ever sad or upset he’d make a joke and you’d just smile and laugh. He put others before himself, he was just an amazing person,” she said.

Trowbridge was always there when she or anyone else needed help, she added.

“He was always there for me. If I needed anything, I’d text him and he would be there right by my side for everything. It’s just devastating that he’s gone,” she said.

Francis said Trowbridge had big dreams. He wanted to go to a good college for farming and live in the country with enough land to raise lots of animals, like horses and rabbits, which he loved.

“He wanted to be a master at rabbits,” she said, laughing. “He had this one rabbit, Mocha, and we thought of it as our child together.”

Francis said she loved Trowbridge and “it’s hard to do life without him right now.”

Dixon said she wanted the vigil to bring those who loved Trowbridge together.

“I just wanted to make sure the world had a day dedicated to Carter where we can join together and be able to bring closure and peace to people who really need it,” Dixon said.