Parkersburg welcomes Holiday in the Park for 2023

An elf peeps from around a pole at Holiday in the Park at City Park in Parkersburg. The show opened Saturday. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

PARKERSBURG — The 29th annual Holiday in the Park Christmas lighting show opened Saturday at City Park.

The opening ceremony included carols, Pastor Jamie Sprague leading the invocation and a welcome from Miss West Virginia Teen USA Lakyn Campbell, appearing on behalf of Mayor Tom Joyce, who was unable to attend the festivities.

“This event is so special to me,” said Campbell, a 2023 graduate of Parkersburg High School where she excelled in tennis and earned All-State honors.

The choir from Hamilton Middle School sang Christmas carols.

“I think this is the biggest choir we ever had to show up,” said Jonelle Merritt, event organizer.

Shrek toots his horns at Holiday in the Park at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

Holiday in the Park and its dozens of lighted Christmas scenes will be on display through New Year’s.

Saturday’s event included the arrival of Santa Claus on an antique fire truck and extended hours at the Henry Cooper Log Cabin.

Holiday in the Park includes dozens of lighted displays involving many volunteers who began preparations in August and worked every day the past few weeks for Saturday’s opening.

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.

The first display is seen at the entrance to City Park in Parkersburg where opening ceremonies were held Saturday for Holiday in the Park. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

The Hamilton Middle School Choir performed Saturday at the opening of the 2023 Holiday in the Park Christmas show at Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

Jonelle Merritt of the Holiday in the Park committee welcomes everyone to Parkersburg City Park Saturday for the opening of the 2023 Christmas lights exhibit that will run through New Year’s. Pastor Jamie Sprague is entering the stage to give the invocation. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

The audience listens to the Hamilton Middle School Choir sing Christmas carols Saturday at the opening ceremonies of Holiday in the Park at City Park in Parkersburg. The lighted Christmas displays will be up until New Year’s. (Photo by Jess Mancini)