Enthusiastic crowd comes out for Ashland's Christmas parade, tree lighting and fireworks

ASHLAND − Fireworks exploded in the sky, and the city's Corner Park Christmas tree was illuminated in front of a wildly cheering crowd at the culmination of Main Street's annual holiday parade and festivities Saturday evening.

Mayor Matt Miller also earned shouts of approval from the throng of attendees densely packing Claremont Avenue and Main Street when he asked, "Doesn't it look a lot like Whoville in downtown Ashland?"

Miller touted the city's new decorations, including garland spanning Main Street, and commended the countywide involvement of multiple businesses and organizations for the valuable contributions they make to Ashland's progress.

Where to get a tree this yearTreat yourself to a tree: Area Christmas farms ready for visitors

Accompanied by his wife, Melanie Miller, and Matt Appleby, WNCO, on the platform in Corner Park, he commended the attention to detail and the time spent on making the floats. The trio elaborated on their attributes as more than 80 units − representing law enforcement, education, social services, government, dance studios, churches, retail stores and other organizations − turned the corner from Claremont Avenue onto Main Street.

Appleby referred to Matt Miller's favorite word for Ashland, which the mayor then used to describe it."I do believe this Christmas season our city is sparkling," Miller said.

Miller noted there are many people to thank for their contribution, including Dick and Ronda Poorbaugh for the downtown decoration, and BCU Electric for the sound system and work along Main Street to enhance it.

"Shop local," Melanie Miller encouraged the crowd. "Our local businesses really went all out this year."

Periodically, the mayor referenced the frigid temperature, asking at one point if people could feel their toes."I'm so glad you can still move," he joked.

The 32-degree temperature didn't seem to impact enthusiasm. Attendees found places to sit or stand early in the evening, and the floats lined up ahead of time to prepare. What Christmas Means to Me was this year's theme.

Drop the Beat dancers perform as Ashland celebrates the Christmas season

Among the dancers were Haley Adkins, Caitlyn Hubbard, Briana Smith, Alex McAleer, Cailey Kosky, Katelyn Schiffer and Bella Harris, ranging in age from 12 to 19, performing from Drop the Beat Dance Center, Mansfield.

They were definitely cold, they acknowledged, but figured they would warm up with flips and tumbling to the song, "What Christmas Means to Me," matching the theme.

Kennedy Estridge said the Hands of Grace float illustrated the theme with a grandma and grandpa reading to children from "a big, old Bible" and a table set for a family dinner.

Many clients were guests on the float, she said. "That's Christmas to us — considering everybody family."

This was Ashland High School cheerleaders' first time to have a float in the parade, said head coach Alyssa McQuate."Christmas means they get a snow day," she said.

Lindsay Brandon-Smith, community engagement manager for the Ashland Public Library, one of the sponsors of a float, said the meaning of Christmas is time with family.

In keeping with the theme, several floats featured giveaways. Home Depot planned to hand out candy and 700 workshop kits. Genesis Christian Academy participants, dressed in costumes for a manger scene, had ready 1,000 bags filled with candy and tracts, said Principal Sam Flynn.

Two Walmart Vision Center employees took a slightly different approach, pushing a skeleton dressed as the Grinch in a shopping cart.

It was more of a Christmas means ugly sweaters theme, said Bonnie Reinke.

"We planned it in 24 hours," said Sophia Wood.

On the topic of Christmas sweaters, Matt Miller said, "I've never seen so many in one place."

Of the youth in the Mapleton and Ashland High School marching bands and those participating with other organizations, he said, "There are so many wonderful young people in the community who give back in so many ways."

Melanie Miller shared what Christmas means to her, saying, "It's about the birth of Jesus. What a gift it is God sent his son Jesus."

"The very first Christmas decoration you see" when driving into Ashland, Matt Miller said, is a manger scene.

For parade participant Jane Matz, a manger scene suggests the spirit of Christmas should be celebrated 365 days a year.

"The streets are full of life," Miller said of the evening's festivities.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland celebrates Christmas with parade, tree lighting, fireworks