Light-up night in Steubenville

STEUBENVILLE - Organizers of the annual light-up night at the Historic Fort Steuben Park declared Tuesday's event a success as approximately 200 people ate hot dogs, cookies and drank hot chocolate and coffee and enjoyed entertainment by the Brenda Casey Dance Studio of Wintersville.

Christmas carols were heard over a sound system as children and adults strolled through the park.

Representatives of the United Steelworkers Local 1190 were handing out paper sacks filled with oranges, apples, crackers, candy and trail mix.

"Yes, it has been hard for us this year at the steel mill but we are still willing to support the community in spite of the tough times. This season is for the kids and we wanted to continue doing what we have always done and that's a show support for this event and the community that supports us," said Carmen DeStefano of USW Local 1190.

"I am very pleased to see the new food establishments in our downtown here at light-up night supporting the event. I hope the community will support these businesses in the downtown," said Susan Probert of the Steubenville Revitalization Group.

Beth Wood, executive director of the Steubenville Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the crowd "was the largest we have ever had for our light-up night and truly representative of the entire community."

The evening's ceremonies had been delayed for an hour because of filming of the Hollywood movie "Unstoppable" on the Market Street Bridge, but Wood said the weather was perfect "and I think people like the later hour better this year."

"This is truly a very good cross-section of our community with business people, residents, children and parents and our local elected officials," Wood added.

"This evening puts people in the mood for the holiday. I'm glad to see this many people come downtown to enjoy the evening. I think this was a great event," observed Larry Coleman of Mingo Junction.

"And it was warmer weather than last year," Coleman laughed.

Alan Hall said he is pleased the Historic Fort Steuben Park is becoming "the centerpiece of the downtown. This is a great location for events like this, and area residents are starting to return to the downtown. This has been a great evening."

Councilman at large Eddie Joe Chanoski made a first-time visit to light-up night and left impressed.

"I was very impressed by the way the community came together tonight. The downtown businesses were chipping in with free food and refreshments and it was a good crowd in the park. That's the way it should be at Christmas. People coming together and enjoying the holidays and each other," said Chanoski.

And after much anticipation Mayor Domenick Mucci led the crowd in a countdown as city electrician Bob DiFonzo, assisted by his children Matthew and Michaela, threw the switches turning on the Christmas tree and lights.

"Good job. And you, too," Bob told his daughter, Michaela, who stood holding a flashlight for her dad and brother.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)