The arrival of Santa Claus in Steubenville marked the beginning of the holiday season, drawing crowds and energizing the local economy. The annual Christmas parade, held along Fourth Street, brought festive spirit to residents and visitors alike, while also stimulating commerce across downtown businesses. n nOne young attendee, Orion Barker, shared his anticipation: “He ‘s coming to my house, and then he ‘s going to go down the chimney, give me the presents, and then when I wake up, I ‘ll be shocked!” Moments like these highlight the cultural significance of the event, which extends beyond celebration into tangible financial benefits for the community. n nJerry Barilla emphasized the broader economic ripple effect, noting that tour groups from cities such as Cleveland and Youngstown bring around 50 visitors per bus, all contributing to local spending. “So, it ‘s been a big economic impact for our city,” he said, underscoring how tourism during the season supports restaurants, shops, and services. n nRetailers are witnessing a notable uptick in customer traffic and sales. John Kuhner, who runs BookMarx Book Store, explained that December is pivotal for survival: “I think it ‘s not an exaggeration to say that we stay open because of the month of December.” He credited the Nutcracker Village display with drawing foot traffic, stating that sales have increased three to fourfold compared to typical months. Similar trends are reported at Drosselmeyer ‘s Nutcracker Shoppe, Leonardo ‘s Coffee, and Steubenville Popcorn Company. n nAnother business owner, Nelson, described daily customer counts during the festival as comparable to those seen only on special ‘First Friday’ events—normally attracting 400 to 600 people. “But we see that almost every single day during the Nutcracker Village—like a First Friday,” he remarked, illustrating how seasonal attractions sustain high commercial activity. n nAdditional holiday offerings, including Christmas at the Fort, will remain accessible throughout the season, continuing to support local economic momentum.
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Santa parade brings holiday cheer and economic boost to Steubenville
Santa Claus made a festive return to Steubenville, delighting onlookers as he paraded down Fourth Street, signaling the start of the Christmas season. The annual Christmas parade not only brought joy but also an economic boost to the city, known for its murals. n nOrion Barker, a young parade attendee, expressed his excitement: “He ‘s coming to my house, and then he ‘s going to go down the chimney, give me the presents, and then when I wake up, I ‘ll be shocked!” n nThe parade ‘s impact extends beyond holiday cheer. Jerry Barilla noted the economic benefits, saying, “We have several tour buses coming in from Cleveland, Youngstown—and 50 people on these buses that are all eating here, spending money here. So, it ‘s been a big economic impact for our city.” n nLocal businesses are experiencing a surge in sales. John Kuhner, owner of BookMarx Book Store, stated, “I think it ‘s not an exaggeration to say that we stay open because of the month of December. The Nutcracker Village is incredibly positive for our business. Generally, when we have people on the streets, we have good business with people coming into our store.” BookMarx is seeing three to four times its normal sales, and other local businesses like Drosselmeyer ‘s Nutcracker Shoppe, Leonardo ‘s Coffee, and Steubenville Popcorn Company report similar increases. n nNelson, another local business owner, shared, “Over there, a normal day is, like, 200 customers. A First Friday is maybe, like 400-600 customers. But we see that almost every single day during the Nutcracker Village—like a First Friday. It ‘s like a First Friday for us.” n nThe holiday festivities in Steubenville continue with the Nutcracker Village and Christmas at the Fort, which will remain open throughout the season.