Clarksburg Winterfest set to ring in Christmas season next month

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — Clarksburg WinterFest is back for another year, promising to bring festive cheer and unforgettable moments to all who attend.

The annual event is hosted this year by the Progressive Women’s Association and features activities including a Christmas parade, appearances by the Clarksburg Winterfest Queen and royalty, food vendors and much more. Winterfest will be held at Jackson Square in downtown Clarksburg and will take place on Dec. 6-7.



Dec. 6's festivities begin at 4:30 p.m.

and go until 9 p.m. with the parade going from 6-8 p.

m. Activities begin the following day at 10 a.m.

, continuing until 5 p.m. The 1.

4-mile parade route through the city will feature over 100 entries from six area communities. Preparations for the event have been going very smoothly, said Progressive Women’s Association Director Elinda Carson. "So far everything seems to be on schedule," she said.

"Things started out slow, but this is our first year putting this event on, and so far things have been going well." The PWA has taken over management of the event from the Clarksburg Visitors Bureau, which has operated the event for the past two years. CVB announced the decision last month.

“We are thrilled to entrust the future of Winterfest to the Progressive Women’s Association,” CVB Executive Director Aimeé Comer said in an October release. “The PWA has a long-standing commitment to enriching our community, and we are confident that their leadership will bring the energy needed to this cherished holiday tradition.” There is a lot for people to look forward to this year, Carson said.

"I am looking forward to everything," she said. "The parade is going to be a grand parade, and we are having different vendors, we are going to have a rock climbing wall, a blacksmith and an escape room in addition to multiple entertainment (acts)..

. It is going to be a wonderful event." This event means a lot to the community, Carson said.

"It is family friendly, and folks in our area are always looking for something they can go to with their family," she said. "We are having many high school bands involved from some of our local schools, and for some of them this is going to be their final parade in Clarksburg, so that will bring a bunch of people to town. Lisa Sutton, director of marketing for Hilton Garden Inn, has been actively involved with the Progressive Women’s Association in organizing the event and encourages everyone to get excited for the upcoming festival.

"This whole event is geared toward community, and everything involved just has that certain feel to it," she said. "It is going to be a great community event, and it is kind of like we are all spending the weekend together." The Christmas season means a lot to her personally, Sutton said.

"I have five children and and 11 grandchildren, so it absolutely means family to me," she said. "We all get together and have a Sutton family Christmas on Christmas Eve, and we just get opportunities to bake together, visit each other's houses and it just means family to us all." Clarksburg Winterfest will cap off the weekend with the Landau Eugene Murphy Concert "Home for the Holidays" at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center Dec.

7 at 8 p.m. To order tickets, visit tickets.

therobinsongrand.com or call 855-773-6283. For more information about all things Clarksburg Winterfest, visit clarksburgwinterfest.

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