Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta ... West Branch High School majorettes lead their school’s marching band during the Youngstown Holiday Parade. It was one of 13 marching bands in the 15th annual event.

Frigid temperatures did not stop revelers from getting into the holiday spirit during the 15th edition of the Youngstown Holiday Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting, as well as the Flea on Phelps Holiday Market on Friday in the downtown district.

Youngstown CityScape Executive Director Sharon Letson, who has attended every downtown holiday event, wasn’t worried about turnout.

“Northeast Ohioans are a hardy bunch,” she said, “and we’re used to chilly Decembers. The snap in the air is what lets us know it’s the holidays and time for bundling up, drinking hot cocoa and taking in the holiday lights.

“Last year, estimates put parade / tree lighting attendance at nearly 14,000. While it’s impossible to predict a number [for this year], I do know that every year, more and more people from across the Mahoning Valley attend this terrific event.”

CityScape resurrected the Holiday Parade tradition in 2011.

Nearly 100 decorated floats and vehicles delighted families from the Mahoning Valley while 13 high school marching bands from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, as well as New Castle, Pa., played along the parade route, which ran from Covelli Centre to East Federal Street down to Vindicator Square and back.

WesBanco sponsored the 2025 Strike Up the Band Contest, donating $1,000 to each high school band that participates (up to 15), and the top three bands received a cash prize.

21 WFMJ-TV on-air personalities Andrew DiPaolo and Sydney Canty acted as the emcees for the parade and tree lighting.

“I love the way that our community comes together to kick off the holiday season,” said Erin Driscoll, executive director for Student Affairs, Youngstown State University. “You don’t need to spend a penny to enjoy the parade, the music and the magic of the season together, but it is also a great night to support our local vendors at the Flea and downtown restaurants.

“When I see the crowds, it reminds me of photos of downtown Youngstown from years ago and provides proof that we still have it in us to thrive as a city and a community.”

Driscoll lived in the Realty Tower from 2010 to 2024. It was demolished after a natural gas explosion.

“The holiday parade has kicked off the season for me for over a decade. Each year I made sure my tree was lit in the window of my seventh-floor apartment to welcome parade attendees into downtown and to be a part of the festivities.”

She also has another reason to enjoy the annual event. “In 2014, when the parade shifted to an evening event, our team at YSU started a new tradition, hosting dueling pianos at a downtown venue after the parade each year. We started at Suzie’s, then hosted at the Lemon Grove and B&O Station before landing at the event’s current home, Penguin City. It is one of my favorite nights of the year!”

Besides the parade and tree lighting, downtown was filled with numerous other activities.

The OH WOW! interactive children’s museum had free admission. While it normally focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Santa’s Workshop resided there along with the opportunity for photos with Santa Claus. Visitors were encouraged to join in a sing-a-long with the Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who, and met Buddy the Elf from the movie, “Elf,” and Olaf from “Frozen.”

Jim Martini of Hubbard brought his three nieces, ages 5, 8 and 8. “It’s pretty amazing that everybody showed up. It’s so busy and you’re able to spend all this time with your family. All the kids, there is so much to do [at OH WOW!]. It’s hard to keep up with it. It’s a great opportunity to explore and meet new people.”

Nilyshia Hill of Youngstown, who was at OH WOW! with four of her five children, returned to the area after living in Denver for four years. “I was really excited to see how much Youngstown has moved forward, being more progressive in the city and as a community as a whole. Events like this, it’s wonderful for the city. There’s a lot of great people here that really want to make this city better than what it’s known for, which is usually cheap housing, great people here that want to do things like this.”

Those who appreciated wintry beverages had a choice of hot cocoa from sponsor 7 17 Credit Union and hot chocolate at OH WOW!

Central Square had live entertainment. Hosted by Lex the MC, it featured performances by Idora & the Wildcats, and a holiday medley by Brooke Lynn & Andrew from The 232 backed by Andrews Family Singers.

Commemorative mugs, sponsored by PLATT Insurance, were given out to be filled with drink specials at downtown establishments.

The Pop-up Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County was on site.