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ELKINS -- The holiday season will come to life in downtown Elkins on Friday evening when the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber hosts its annual "Jingle All the Way" Christmas Parade.
The parade is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m., and will conclude with a tree lighting ceremony at the Elkins Railyard Depot Welcome Center.
Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco will proclaim the city as "Elfkins" earlier in the day on Friday, and will lead the tree lighting ceremony.
During the ceremony at the Depot, Santa Claus will be on hand and will take photos with children attending. The Elkins Middle School choir will also perform during the event.
"We will have a special float at the end with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will join us over at the Christmas tree lighting immediately following the parade," Elkins-Randolph County Chamber Director Lisa Wood told The Inter-Mountain. "The mayor and first lady will be there, as well as Lucinda Mullenax, who is lighting the tree this year, because the event was her idea and she couldn't be with us last year. So she will be lighting the tree."
Those participating in the parade will gather in the area of the 11th Street and Davis Avenue intersection at 5 p.m. Registration for the parade is open until Thursday, and can be done on the Chamber's Facebook page or by calling the office at 304-636-2717.
"Everything is going great leading up to the parade and we'd love to have as many businesses and organizations as possible participate," Wood said. "Anyone who is interested in being in the parade can sign up until Thursday and if they decide they want to do it on the same day as the event, they can call the office and we will see about getting them in."
Elves from the Old Brick Playhouse will be scattered throughout Friday's events, and "Elfkins" t-shirts and ornaments will be available to purchase at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Sponsors for the events include Jodie Parrack State Farm, Citizens Bank of West Virginia, the Randolph County Commission, Elkins City Hall, Davis Trust Company, Master Service Corporation, Kathy's Decorating and Design, Elkins Main Street, and Citizens Promoting Community.
"Everyone is really getting excited for everything we have going on this Friday," said Wood. "It's a great event for the community and we hope everyone comes out and has a good time."