WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — The Washington C.H. Fire Department has opened registration for the city’s 2026 Christmas parade, announcing a theme that ties the holiday tradition to a milestone year for the country.
The theme, “Christmas Through the Ages — 250 Years,” invites entrants to build old-fashioned floats, the department said in a social media post. The year lines up with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a nationwide milestone being marked in communities across the country in 2026.
Grand marshal nominations are due Oct. 31, and float registration, which is free, closes Nov. 30. Sponsorship opportunities are also open for businesses that want to support the parade, with registration forms, nomination links and sponsorship details available through the department’s Facebook page.
To mark the announcement, the department shared photographs from past Christmas parades, including firefighters driving a vintage engine with Santa Claus riding on top down Court Street, along with homemade floats that past entrants built for the event.
The department is offering first-, second- and third-place trophies this year in four entry categories: churches, service organizations, businesses and schools, as it looks to draw a full lineup of old-fashioned floats for the anniversary theme.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Washington C.H. Fire Department.
