On the evening of Dec. 7, the second largest family event in Warren comes to life The Main Street Christmas Parade and Walk.
This year, Main Street has teamed up with an outstanding national and community organization, one that serves our community on many levels, The Salvation Army.
The holidays are a time of giving, and for many, nothing feels better than to give or to know in some way we have helped someone in need, and with so many people in need, the resources of the Salvation Army are stretched thin.
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Warren’s Christmas Walk Dec. 7
There is no better time than when we begin to celebrate the holiday season with the Main Street Christmas Parade and Walk, to begin thinking of others.
In honor of the Salvation Army, the parade has been titled "The Red Kettle Parade." The Salvation Army will head the parade and guide the music, floats and, most importantly, Santa through the streets of downtown Warren.
The parade route will have lots of red kettles and the familiar bell ringers, a long-held tradition of the Salvation Army, giving the public many opportunities to answer their call for help and support.On Pennsylvania Avenue, near United News, Toriella's Treats, etc., there will be a Salvation Army team accepting donations of food, clothing and toys.
"What a wonderful opportunity to teach our little ones the importance of thinking of others and giving," said Dan Ristau, event coordinator. "It is my sincere hope that our community generosity overwhelms the Salvation Army and they are left needing trucks to haul it all away."
Main Street is going to kick off the giving by underwriting the parade and asking all of those whom have sponsored the parade in the past to direct your kind sponsorship amount to the Salvation Army. Please direct your sponsorship to the Salvation Army's offices, or better yet, bring it by personally on the evening of the parade and walk.
Christmas Parade and Walk co-chair, Wally Post, has promised quite a parade.
"I am pretty certain he said it would be bigger and better than last year," Ristau said. "We greatly thank Wally for his parade expertise and hard work."
Main Street also welcomes a new co-chair, Julie Labeski, coordinating the downtown window walk. Julie's dream is to grow this part of the event to rival its past grandeur.
"We greatly thank Julie for her enthusiasm and hard work," Ristau said.
"As the president of Main Street, I have been out talking to our Main Street business owners and they promise an evening of warmth and hospitality and invite everyone to visit their businesses as you walk the downtown," added Ristau.
And last but not least, the Main Street Christmas Parade and Walk wouldn't be complete without a holiday production at our historic Struthers Library Theater. This year, A.R.T.E. / Youth Connection is on stage, under the direction of Jennifer Koebly with a holiday show titled "The Magic Of Christmas", starting at 8 p.m. or right after the Christmas Walk. For ticket information, call the Struthers Library Theater at 723-7231.