T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Santa Claus rides on the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire truck during the Martins Ferry Christmas Parade.

MARTINS FERRY — The Thanksgiving turkey has been eaten, the Black Friday deals have been purchased, now it’s time for Martins Ferry residents to flood the streets to watch the town’s annual Christmas parade.

At the start of the parade Friday evening, the temperature was a cold 29 degrees as snow turned Ohio’s first settlement into a winter wonderland. The harsh conditions didn’t stop Purple City residents from supporting the annual parade.

For the past 35 years, the parade has been organized by the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department.

It was sponsored by Unified Bank, Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department Chief 1 Ron Hilton said that Unified Bank has been a big supporter of the department for several years. He then praised Unified Bank President and CEO Scott Everson for supporting the department both financially and morally throughout the years.

“Probably over half of the people who enter are other fire departments throughout the valley from both sides of the river,” Hilton said. “We usually have a great turnout from other fire departments.

He added that the parade usually has roughly 100 participants in it.

Floats participating in the parade met at the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department’s firehouse at 4:30 p.m. and the parade got underway at 6:30 p.m. It started at Center Street to Zane Highway and headed south to Hanover Street. From Hanover, the route proceeded to Fourth Street, then to Jefferson Street, and from Jefferson to Zane Highway again, ending at the city park.

Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department Chief 2 Justin Smith said that the parade has played a key role in his life for as long as he can remember.

“I grew up at the fire station, I rode on the firetruck in the Christmas parade when I was a kid,” Smith said. “It’s been a part of my life ever since I was able to get onto the truck.”

Hilton added that he has eight grandchildren participating in the parade.

Both Hilton and Smith believe that the parade is a great tradition for the entire community of Martins Ferry.

“We put on Betty Zane Days and we put this parade on every year and we try to keep the tradition alive with the fire department,” Smith said. “I think the community sees us out there and sees what we do for the community on a volunteer basis and I think it means a lot to everybody.”

Hilton added, “We’re just glad to be involved with the public, the public always supports the fire department and we just want to put on a good show for them to show that we appreciate the residents of Martins Ferry.”