Local business owners said holiday parades aren't only great for sharing community spirit, but the events also help attract new customers.

The owners of Balloon Fantasy and J. Jones Formalwear said the exposure they received with their float in the Weirton Christmas Parade led to an increase in customers and generated buzz in the community.

The two businesses joined together to sponsor the float with the theme "Winter Wonderland" for the Weirton parade. Formalwear shop owner Jill Jones said her colleague at Balloon Fantasy "did a beautiful job decorating it with balloons and archways, and we had girls modeling our formalwear. ... We had a huge response."

The Winter Wonderland float and a special appearance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse will also be part of this Saturday's Steubenville Christmas Parade.

The 2012 Eastern Gateway Community College Sights & Sounds of Christmas Parade starts at noon. The parade is sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the Steubenville Visitors Center and WTOV9 with help from the Steubenville Events Committee.

The parade route is 4th Street through downtown Steubenville. Starting at 10 a.m. throughout the parade, no parking will be permitted on 4th Street from Clinton to South streets.

The Steubenville parade will be broadcast live on WTOV9 and livestreamed on WTOV9.com.