Holiday Parade welcomes Santa

Santa gets a hug from this youngster during the Holiday Parade festivities Saturday.

It was snowing when the annual Holiday Parade began, and a brisk wind put a bite into the cold air, but nevertheless a solid crowd of several hundred people showed up Saturday to enjoy the festivities.

Children waved at Santa and Mrs. Claus as they traveled through the parade route, then gathered around the jolly couple at the end of the parade to get hugs and offer their suggestions for Christmas presents.

Perhaps as many as 60 children took part in the parade, carrying decorations that were placed on the community Christmas tree at the former El Rancho parking lot near the underpass.

Meanwhile, the local Shrine organizations served hot cocoa and hot dogs to those who needed something to warm them up in the cold weather.

Organizers of the event were pleased with the turnout, which marked the first official visit of Santa Claus to the community.