WHEELING ­– A light rain could not dampen the spirit of the Friendly City on Friday night when the Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade returned to the heart of downtown Wheeling for the first time in years.

The long-awaited homecoming of sorts came on the 40th anniversary of the parade — an annual holiday event that for generations of Ohio Valley residents has always marked the official kickoff of the holiday season.

“The Fantasy in Lights Parade is such a special tradition for the city of Wheeling,” said Jennifer Materkoski, newly named president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, which presents the parade each year. “Not only is this the 40th anniversary, but this year is especially exciting as the parade comes back to its previous route, which is complimented this year by

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