POMEROY — Under sunny skies, Santa in his bright red suit arrived in Pomeroy Sunday afternoon on a float filled with toys to greet the hundreds of excited little girls and boys lining the street.
The parade which included everything from a float depicting the nativity by Emi’s Place to holiday music played by the Meigs marching band marked the official opening of everything from the Christmas shopping season to a variety of fun events in the village. Floats carried out the “Christmas Along the River” theme for the season of activities sponsored by Pomeroy Merchants Association. Adding to the festive downtown scene was music by the Big Bend Community Band directed by Toney Dingess, also chairman of the parade.
Holding to tradition the Pomeroy Police and the honor guard of Drew Webster Post 39, American Legion, led the parade through town with several organizations and businesses, including the Senior Center, Farmers Bank and winners in the recent election throwing candy along the route to the delight of the children. Scouts of Chester Pack 235 participated with an entry including decorated sleds, as did the Girl Scouts in a walking unit.
Dozens of little girls in pink from Gallia-Meigs Performing Arts danced down the street, and royalty of the 2012 Meigs County Fair rode in open vehicles.
Motorcyclists wearing Santa hats, and the Rough Riders on horseback were included in the lineup of parade entries. Also taking part were units from Lifeline of Ohio appealing for residents to participate in the organ donation program, and the Athens Shriners with a unit promoting that organization and its community work.
Again this year some members of the Model A Club of Gallipolis entered their vehicles, all decked out for the season. And, of course, there were firetrucks from several communities.
Following the parade, Santa moved to People’s Bank where he greeted all the little girls and boys. The bank provided a beverage and cookie to each one after their visit with Santa.
























