This Saturday, Easter festivities will light up the Mid-Ohio Valley as Belpre, Ohio, joins Parkersburg for a weekend of parades and community fun. The long-awaited Belpre Easter Parade will debut this year, marking the start of a new holiday tradition in the area. Following its debut, the Easter Bunny will hop over to the Parkersburg procession, making appearances on both sides of the Ohio River.
Carrie Arnold, the director of the Belpre Christmas Lights Pageant, took the initiative to organize this inaugural event. Arnold, relatively new to the area, is dedicated to getting involved in the community beyond her role in pageantry. “My focus isn’t on the sash and crown or the title. My focus is on becoming involved in the community,” she said.
The parade has received a warm welcome from locals, thanks largely to word-of-mouth and social media. Arnold expressed excitement about the positive response and sees the event as an opportunity to bring families together for a fun and engaging experience. “There is always a great turnout for any of the parade events that we’ve been to. This is just something fun for the whole family,” she said.
The Belpre Easter Parade will begin behind Belpre High School’s football stadium, traveling up Washington Boulevard before finishing at Civitan Park, where the Easter Bunny will greet attendees afterward. Around 35 vehicles are registered for the parade, and though registration officially closed on Sunday, Arnold mentioned that groups could still sign up via the event’s registration page.
“We want it to be a fun, free event for everyone,” Arnold said. “We hope to make this a tradition in the future.”
Civitan Park will also host a Glow Easter Egg Hunt, organized by the Belpre Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Gary Webb shared that they had such a strong response to the event—about 400 kids signed up—that they had to close registration for this year. However, they’re already planning ways to expand the event next year, aiming to accommodate even more children and families.
“We’re trying to do new things to connect with a younger generation here in Belpre,” Webb said. “We’re hoping to absolutely do it bigger and better next year and not have to cut off registration for it.”
While Belpre’s parade takes place in the evening, organizers planned it so it wouldn’t conflict with the 15th annual Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade in Parkersburg, which begins at 2 p.m. The Parkersburg procession will travel down Market Street from 19th Street.
“It’s going to be great weather. There’s no rain, so that’s a big plus for people who want to decorate their floats,” said Kiki Angelos, one of the event’s organizers. “We have a huge group of participants this year.”
Parkersburg’s parade will be led by Grand Marshal Zach Wigal, a Belpre resident who was named the United States Auto Club National Midget Rookie of the Year in 2024. Wigal, who started racing locally at the age of 7, transitioned to full-size midget racing in 2022, winning his first race at 14.
“We are proud of Zach and his accomplishments,” said Angelos. “His story will inspire people in our community, especially our younger generation.”
Another exciting highlight of the Parkersburg parade will be the appearance of the West Virginia University cheerleading squad, many of whom have ties to the area. “That is something that our town will really enjoy,” Angelos added.
For anyone still interested in joining the Parkersburg festivities, registration for the parade begins at noon at 19th Street and Market Street. “It’s a community event, and if somebody’s late, we don’t care,” Angelos said, emphasizing the inclusive spirit of the event.
This weekend’s double-feature parade celebration offers a unique opportunity for families to celebrate Easter, enjoy local talent, and support community spirit. Whether in Belpre or Parkersburg, the Easter Bunny is sure to bring smiles to faces across the Mid-Ohio Valley.
