Dear Editor,
The town of Wampum is small in population, just 620 when everyone is at home, but big in heart and action. Wampum is midway between New Castle and Beaver Falls and just a short drive west of Ellwood City. This past Saturday, December 2nd, we held our 45th Annual Wampum Area Christmas Parade, and our little town’s population swelled into the thousands, our largest crowd ever.
Thanks to many prayers, the weather was perfect and the Parade of 65 Units went off with very few glitches, and our small town of Wampum had its 1 hour and 5 minutes of fame.
The Thursday evening prior to the Parade, Wampum held their 10th Light Up the Town event featuring their new Christmas lights which were purchased with donations from local businesses, organizations and residents. The rainy weather forecast was worrisome but by 6 PM the new lights were seen and the 225 luminaries were lit to kick off an old fashioned Christmas celebration.
The effort to raise money for new lights was spearheaded by Wampum Area Business Association. Wampum Area Christmas Parade Committee and Wampum Community Revitalization supported the effort.
The past few months seeing our tiny town come together has been heartwarming. The warm response from so many people participating, supporting and showing up for events has touched me. I am so proud of all who worked hard and put in many hours (some of them frustrating) to make these events worthwhile.
Thank you, thank all of you, my great Committee, the Boro of Wampum, the Boro Police, the Boro workers, Wampum VFD, the sponsoring clubs, the Wampum organizations, the generous donaters, the wonderful participants, the Judges, expert videographer Joe Sobszak, the enthusiastic spectators and anyone that had a part in helping to keep this very special Christmas Parade tradition alive and flourishing in our little town of Wampum.
Hope to see next year for our 46TH!
With my heartfelt appreciation,
Donna Kuiken
Chairperson
Wampum Area Christmas Parade Committee
As a former resident of the Wampum Area I am very interested in the progress of the community. My name is Harold McConnell, a former member of WABa and a active participant in many former activies. Keep up the god work.