More than 80 floats, bands, dance groups and others will take part in the annual Perkins Restaurant and Bakery Fantasy in Lights Parade at 6:30 p.m.

This marks the 27th year for the parade. According to organizers, the event typically brings in up to 40,000 people.

Spectators started claiming their spots and put out chairs as early as 5 a.m. Friday.

"It's something we started doing last year. I understand people get out here pretty early, sometimes as early as 5 o'clock, so when we come into the office of the Friday morning of the Christmas parade, we kind of all gather together and get our chairs out," said Jason Wade, of Wheeling.

The parade will be broadcast live on WTOV9 and also streaming on WTOV9.com.
--CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PARADE LIVE ON WTOV9.COM STARTING AT 6:30 P.M. FRIDAY

Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce President Terry Sterling said the event brings in parade-goers from all across the Ohio Valley.

"We want to have everybody come down early. We've got some great restaurants downtown, a lot of activities going on around 5 (p.m.). There (will) be a lot of vendors here. So come down, have dinner, make an evening of it. It's a great night," Sterling said.

Every year is a different with something new on the parade route, and this year the parade committee is aiming to be more kid-friendly. The committee is also including a Wheeling icon as one of the grand marshals: a man best known by his nickname, Moondog.
   
Parade chairman Bill Byron said children will benefit the most.

“We have a dozen cartoon characters his year and we are really excited about that. Robinson Auto has the superheroes, Batman, Spiderman, Catwoman – these are the licensed characters,” Byron said.

At 5 p.m., Main and Market streets from 10th to 24th streets were closed, including the entire Centre Market area. Officers will be directing traffic at several intersections and advised parade-goers to drive slowly when they leave the area after the parade.

The streets will remain closed until the conclusion of the parade, which is expected to last about 1 ½ hours. Vehicles will be towed if they’re left on the streets while closures are in effect.

Wheeling Police Deputy Chief Martin Kimball said city police will have eyes on every street corner.

“I will have about 25 officers working the Christmas parade. It takes a lot of people to keep an eye on that big of a crowd and that big of an area. The parade route is over a mile long, plus the staging areas,” Kimball said.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.