Published: November 28, 2009 10:03 pm      

West End parade, light-up planned

Santa Claus is coming to the West End Friday during the neighborhood’s annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The event, sponsored by the West End Improvement Group, starts at 5:15 p.m. with a parade that begins at Greater Johnstown Middle School and ends at the Fairfield Avenue Skate Park, located at Fairfield Avenue and J Street.

Participating in the parade will be the middle school’s marching band, units from the Johnstown fire and police departments, West End Ambulance Service and Lower Yoder Volunteer Fire Company, said Rose Howarth, vice president of the group. There also will be floats, including one from West End Styles, she said.

At about 5:45 p.m., Santa Claus will lead a countdown and then turn the lights on the 15-foot tall tree that has been erected in the skate park.

The tree was donated by Richard Pletcher, owner of Fairfield Auto Exchange, which is located next to the skate park, Howarth said.

Pletcher, as in past years, is donating the electricity for the lights, she said.

The group is donating hot chocolate and candy canes for the event, she said.

The group has been working to improve the West End for five years with projects such as planting miniature gardens and installing flower boxes, she said.

The group has been holding the parade for the past three years, she said.

During the evening of Dec. 20, the group will conduct a Christmas decoration contest. Judges will canvass the West End and award prizes to the top finishers, she said.