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St. Albans Festival of Lights, parade and holiday events draw strong turnout; volunteers and charities praised
Summary
The mayor and co‑host recapped the 37th annual Festival of Lights, a more than one‑hour parade, a lively Christmas market and a sensory‑friendly Santa event. Organizers reported strong turnout and donations for Christ's Kitchen food pantry.
Mayor Scott James and co‑host Anthony Romeo reviewed St. Albans’ holiday schedule, highlighting the 37th annual Festival of Lights and a parade that stretched from Saint Francis to the high school and ran more than an hour.
James praised volunteers and staff for staging the event and noted donations of food and money were strong. The hosts said organizers estimated nearly 4,000 cars had passed through the light display by the second weekend and described the Festival of Lights as the second‑oldest Christmas light show in West Virginia after Ogilvy Park in Wheeling.
The podcast also covered related events: a Christmas market (intended for 18–20 vendors, $25 vendor fee) that raised items and funds for Christ’s Kitchen food pantry, a Santa House at Roadside Park to reduce congestion, and a sensory‑friendly Santa experience on Dec. 20 organized by the On Purpose Project to include people with developmental disabilities. The Mayor’s Concert is scheduled for Dec. 22 at the Auburn Arts Theatre, with Landau Eugene Murphy headlining and Del Nora as an opening performer.
Why it matters: the events generate community engagement, support local charities and attract regional visitors, and officials encouraged residents to check the city events calendar at saintalbanswv.com for schedules and updates.
Organizers said some vendor spots closed at the last minute and some planned activities were postponed by severe weather and rescheduled for Dec. 20.
