History 

Before the Parade of the Hills was established, Nelsonville hosted the annual Hocking Valley Festival, which featured events such as the Old Timer's Baseball Game, the West End School Reunion, and a carnival. In 1950, the Eagles, Elks, and VFW joined forces to expand the festival by introducing a parade and a queen competition, in which all proceeds benefit the Nelsonville Christmas Charity Basket Fund. Each participating town—Chauncey, Buchtel, Carbon Hill, Union Furnace, Murray City, Haydenville, and Nelsonville—selected a queen chosen by its residents to compete for the title of Miss Parade of the Hills. Ross Reed is credited with renaming the event the Parade of the Hills. The inaugural festival in 1950 was a financial success, drawing notable guests, including the state governor, political figures, and professional athletes.

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Today, the festival continues to support the Nelsonville Christmas Charity Basket Fund, including all proceeds from the Charity Pie Auction directly contributing to the food basket program. The Parade of the Hills also awards scholarships through the Miss Parade of the Hills Pageant to local youth and provides donations to community causes throughout the year.

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In 1980, Spencer Steenrod composed the festival’s official theme song, with an arrangement by Grant Simmons, performed by the Nelsonville-York Show Choir. Since its creation, the song has remained a festival tradition, performed each year on stage by the contestants competing for the title of Miss Parade of the Hills.