A United States senator with deep ties to the Northern Panhandle will serve as the grand marshal in tonight’s Fantasy In Lights Parade.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is this year’s grand marshal, Capito’s office announced Thursday afternoon. She will ride in the parade, which begins around 6 p.m. and travel around Center Wheeling.
Capito — who will be the senior senator from West Virginia starting in January when Sen.-elect Jim Justice replaces retiring Sen. Joe Manchin — was born in Glen Dale and is the daughter of late Moundsville native and former Gov. Arch Moore Jr. She started serving in the U.S. Senate in 2015 and served as a United States Congresswoman from 2001-15 and a West Virginia House of Delegates member from 1996-2000.
The parade will start at the intersection of 24th and Market streets and will make a right turn, traveling north along Main Street for several blocks. The route will then make another right turn at 20th and Main Streets, ending at the next intersection.
The public is urged to arrive early for the parade and be mindful of the influx of pedestrians and vehicles in Center Wheeling. The Intermodal Parking Garage, located at 1401 Main Street, will be open for parade parking. The Wheeling Police Department will have officers stationed at several intersections to direct traffic on foot, bikes, and patrol cars.
Most roads in and around Centre Market will close to the traveling public at 5:30 p.m. This area includes Main and Market streets from 20th to 26th streets. Only those with floats or involved in the parade will be permitted in this area once closed.