Shinnston ReDiscovers itself

by Kim Mines

CORRESPONDENT

Adults, children, teens, and even dogs lined the streets in Shinnston to watch the second annual Re-discover Shinnston Parade, held Saturday at 1:30 PM on Main Street.

The parade was one of several events sponsored by the Shinnston Area Development Association (SADA).

"It's been a group effort between businesses, community organizations, and churches," said Kevin Nuzum. "The goal is to bring people and businesses to Shinnston. We have lots of small businesses downtown, and we don't want to lose them."

Nuzum and Walter Post served as Co-chairmen of the parade.

Besides a parade, the Re-discover Shinnston celebration featured a concert by the Community Band, a car show, a concert at Lincoln High School by country group Rascal Flatts and the second annual Walk for the Lord's Pantry -- a canned food drive comprised of a two mile walk along the West Fork River Trail.

Warm, sunny weather added to the excitement as the crowd displayed their hometown pride by cheering and waving to friends, family, and other parade participants.

This year's parade line up featured the Lincoln High School Band, football team and cheerleaders, local celebrities including Mayor Sam De Marco and Miss Teen West Virginia Sarah Cochran, and the Harrison County Junior Policy Academy. Horses, classic cars, the DARE mascot, and the Lumberport Middle School Cheerleaders also participated. Cars and floats sponsored by local business and community groups and churches tossed candy to throngs of excited children.

According to most of the little ones, candy is the best part of any parade.

Joseph Pierce, 6, said he liked "candy and the fire trucks."

"It was really nice," said Joseph's mom, Beth Pierce of Shinnston.

The parade was fun not only for the spectators, but for the participants as well.

"It gives us a chance to show off what we have been working on for the past three weeks," said Chris Way, Drum Major for the Lincoln High School Band. He added that band camp had ended recently, and this was the band's first performance of the year.

Shinnston Mayor Sam DeMarco was pleased with the huge turnout for the parade, and with the way the small town rallied together to make Re-discover Shinnston Days a success. He stressed that many volunteers from a variety of different groups and businesses worked very hard on the event and did a wonderful job.

"It was wonderful! It's things like this that make you proud to be a mayor!" he said.

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