The borough of Waynesburg is looking to get festive within the new two months with the upcoming Veterans Day Parade and Christmas Parade. 

The Veterans Day Parade will run from the intersection of Richhill Street and High Street down High Street towards the courthouse on Nov. 5. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m., but pre-ceremonies will begin at the courthouse steps at 10:30 a.m.

Pre-ceremonies will include a presentation of the patriotic yard contest award, the announcement and presentation to the parade’s Grand Marshal, Joe Ayersam, a Vietnam veteran, and a three point fly over (weather permitting) to honor all veterans.

“Our committee, we dubbed ‘Mission Unite.’ We wanted to band veterans together to honor all veterans in Greene County,” said Angela Baker, chairperson for the parade. “This parade was envisioned by Rick Black and Terry Hoyle II and they both recently passed. We’re trying to carry on what they started. They envisioned of having an old fashioned parade and we’re trying to carry forward what they envisioned.”

Gold Star families will also be honored at the parade with three families being highlighted in a carriage that will run. Those in the carriage will be the families of the three veterans who had most recently passed away.

Those veterans are:

• Army Specialist Gregory A. Cox from Carmichaels- Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Marine Lance Corp. Steven L. Phillips from Spraggs- Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Army Ranger Richard Kowalewski from Crucible- Desert Storm 

“Those three names, if we can never remember all the other names, those were the most recent in our time that I feel that we need to make sure we honor those three names,” Baker said. “And [they are] representing the rest.”

The Veterans Day Parade has been running on the streets of Waynesburg since it began in 1954. Previously, Veteran’s Day had been called Armistice Day to honor those in World War II. The name was changed to Veterans Day on June 1, 1954 so the day could be used to honor all veterans.

This will be the first time the parade will follow its usual route down High Street since COVID-19 hit. 

The committee thanks the community sponsors for making the parade a reality. 

Details of the Veterans Day Parade were supplied by Baker.

The Veterans Day Parade is being put on by a subcommittee through the Greene County Veterans Council with the help of the director of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce Melody Longstreth. 

The Chamber of Commerce will also be putting on their annual Christmas Parade on Dec.3  at 2 p.m. After two years of having a “reverse” parade for COVID-19, the parade will be taking to the streets once more.

The parade route will begin at the corner of Richhill Street and High Street and will travel to the corner of High Street and Cumberland Street. First Energy of West Penn Power Company is sponsoring this year’s Christmas Parade.

This year’s Grand Marshalls and Distinguished Service Award winners are Jack and Peggy Rock of Waynesburg. This is only the third time that a husband and wife duo were chosen since the ‘80’s when the parade first started. Alongside them will be this years Miss Rainday, Isabelle Tedrow, as the other Grand Marshall of the parade. 

The Jack McCracken award winner, Charles Berry Hill, will follow behind the Grand Marshalls carriage. 

Local high school marching bands, different scouting troops, floats and more will fill High Street for the parade. Later that evening other holiday themed events will be taking place including the local Rotary Club’s gala at the courthouse. 

This year’s parade will continue the tradition of having a float competition. First, second, and third place awards will be given.

Details of the parade and other festivities were outlined by Longstreth.

The Waynesburg University Department of Communication will be providing coverage of both parades in partnership with the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. More information will be announced on department social media pages at a later date.