With Saturday's high expected to top out at just 38 degrees, those attending the Marietta Christmas Parade had better bundle up.
And be good, since Santa Claus will be there at the very end of the parade, along with Mrs. Claus and a few elves.
"I guess Mrs. Claus wanted to be with Santa this year," said Mallory Greenham, parade co-coordinator and executive director of ReStore Marietta.
In past parades, Santa has ridden in a fire truck, said Greenham.
"Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in a new carriage this year," she added.
The Marietta Christmas Parade is part of a family tradition for many, according to Greenham.
Fact Box
If you go
What: Marietta Christmas Parade.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Begins at Third and Ohio streets and ends at Second and Butler streets.
Contact Mallory Greenham, ReSTORE Marietta at 885-8194 to participate and register in the parade. The cost per unit is $30.
"It's something that they always do together as a family. People have family in town or back from college or their children have brought their children back," she said.
This year's parade marshals are Charlie and Keelan McLeish, owners of McLeish Auctions.
During the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce's 97th annual meeting dinner last March, the father-son duo were honored as the Gabe Zide Citizens of the Year.
Zide was a business owner and philanthropist who "really encouraged people to pay their civic rent, to give back to the community," said Keim, chamber president.
Charlie and Keelan McLeish have donated auction services to more than two dozen nonprofits annually. Additionally, they donate their time and talents to run auctions that benefit individuals and families in crisis.
"What's most astonishing to me is that they do not use their auctioneering skills to benefit one particular area," Keim said. "They work to help battered women, provide scholarships and they work area fairs."
Charlie McLeish graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in 1955 and served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 28 years before retiring.
Keelan McLeish also serves as a Washington County Sheriff's Department deputy and during the school year he teaches welding at the Washington County Career Center.
Greenham said as of Tuesday, about 40 units were on tap to join in Saturday's annual Christmas parade.
Marietta High School's Wall of Sound band, Pipes and Drums of St. Andrew of Vienna, area businesses, walking groups and company trucks are scheduled to participate.
"(The numbers) seem to be right on track with where it was last year. We had 45 or 50 units last year," said Greenham.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. at Third and Ohio streets, then proceeds from Ohio Street to Second Street, Second to Greene Street, Greene to Front Street, Front to Putnam Street and Putnam to Second Street. It ends at Second and Butler streets.
Weather permitting, Santa Claus will be at Muskingum Park after the parade, Greenham noted. If people want to take pictures with him, they must take them with their own cameras at the park, she added.
Those who want to participate in the parade can call Greenham at 885-8194 or sign up on the day of the event. The cost per unit is $30.
