LIGHT UP NIGHT — Fireworks lit up the sky over Historic Fort Steuben during the Steubenville Lights up the Night celebration Friday.
— Christopher Dacanay
STEUBENVILLE — The city was the shining Christmas star of the Ohio Valley Friday, as Historic Fort Steuben came alive with the annual Steubenville Lights Up the Night celebration.
According to officials with the Steubenville Visitors Center, thousands of individuals crowded into the fort’s plaza and Holiday Market. Towering in the plaza’s fountain was the Christmas tree that was lit in one moment, following a countdown by the crowd, after which a fireworks display lit up the sky above the Ohio River.
The night’s culmination of months of planning was an “emotional moment,” said Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla.
“Standing up there at the countdown and seeing that sea of people around the fountain, I was so proud of (the people of) Steubenville who came here to support. I’m so thankful that I’m part of Steubenville, and I’m proud of the people who helped put this together to make it a success.”
Judy Bratten, who has been director of Historic Fort Steuben for 12 years, said Christmas at the Fort — this year with title sponsor Trinity Health System — has taken many shapes during its past 30 years, even having Santa Claus drop out of a helicopter one year.
Bratten credited contributions from the Steubenville Revitalization Group and the Steubenville Cultural Trust for making this year’s celebration possible, adding, “Everybody’s doing something to make it a special night.”
Christmas at the Fort will continue until Jan. 6, with the Holiday Market lasting until Dec. 30, running on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Steubenville Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 2 at noon.
The activities at the fort and the Steubenville Nutcracker Village help to give the city a festive feel. The more than 200 nutcrackers that make up the village and can be found through the downtown and the fort, will be on display through the first week in January.
The fort’s plaza and its tree were sponsored by Franciscan University of Steubenville, and members of its basketball team led the fireworks countdown. Beforehand, the plaza’s Christmas tree was blessed by Bishop Paul J. Bradley, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Steubenville, and other local clergy, after which the Honkytonk Sweethearts performed “O Holy Night.”
The fireworks were sponsored by Barilla, as well as the Kloska and Brogan family, of whom Anna Kloska-Welday said the family members wish to give back to their home community of Steubenville, inspired by the value of giving instilled in them by their parents.
Whether attendees were looking for something sweet or savory, the holiday market had something to offer — kettle popcorn, baked goods, coffee and cider, churros, bubble tea or meatball sandwiches. Also, vendors sold holiday gifts or crafts — honey, woodwork, light-up toys, seasonings, wreaths, freeze-dried candy, jewelry or alpaca fleece clothing.
Attendees could walk under arches, provided by M&M Hardware, trimmed with Christmas lights, under which stood many of the human-sized nutcracker statues, crafted by Nelson’s of Steubenville.
Inside the Visitors Center, the halls were decked with Christmas décor, including a sleigh donated by the family of the late Dr. Patrick Macedonia. In the lobby, children could write and mail letters to Santa Claus. Nearby, the Steubenville Art Association sold works by local artists, with 20 percent of proceeds going toward the fort.
Volunteers at the fort noted that people from beyond the Tri-State Area were in attendance on Friday, and the guest book listed visitors as coming from as far as California, Louisiana and even London.
Visiting from Buffalo, N.Y., was Ed Bell, a former Wellsvillle resident, who was attending Steubenville Lights up the Night for the first time. Bell, who said the success of Steubenville and its Christmas celebration was an “encouraging” sight, recalled how his daughter loves the nutcrackers, having received a nutcracker for her birthday — Dec. 24 — for many years until she amassed “an army.”
Inside the fort was a display of antique toys collected by Ken and Marilyn Grimes. Ken Grimes, who has been collecting for all his life, said the display is popular among older generations, who study the collection with nostalgia.
Volunteer Jon Cooper watched over the Hawthorne Village, filled with miniature homes and surrounded by a model train set, which was donated in memory of Rob Cramblett, who had been collecting the homes that were then donated to the fort by his wife after he died. Cooper himself built the set for the display, as well as a photo booth shaped like a Christmas cabin and positioned at the fort’s entrance.
At the Louis Berkman Amphitheater, students of the Brenda Casey Dancer Center displayed their dance skills in a number of routines. Across the street from the plaza, the Jefferson County Courthouse was animated with a light and sounds show, sponsored by the Jefferson County commissioners.
Among volunteers who worked to make the night a success was Patrick McLaughlin, who has volunteered at the fort for 10 years. He said planning for the Christmas celebration is a year-round effort. However, he added that the only recompense volunteers need is the assurance that they “make (the fort) a place for families to have fun.”
McLaughlin helped to take pictures of kids and their families with Santa Claus, portrayed by John Miller, who doubles as St. Nicholas for the nutcracker village.
Barilla noted that the celebration’s attendance was outstanding, in spite of the Steubenville Big Red football playoff game in Columbus and the celebration being rescheduled from Tuesday. The turnout was so great, Barilla said, that the fort hopes to host all future Steubenville Lights up the Night celebrations on Fridays, so as to catch all those who are in town for Thanksgiving as opposed to traveling days beforehand.
“To see (the celebration) become successful like it has is so rewarding,” Barilla said while joined by Bratten, later adding, “All of this is for the community, and we’re glad to be a small part.”