Despite a cold and steady light rain, and deep puddles in the street, Aberdeen's annual Christmas Street parade and tree lighting went ahead as scheduled Saturday with a better turnout than organizers expected.
"For the weather, it was a great turnout," Aberdeen Mayor Mike Bennett said. "I was very pleased."
The parade through the city's downtown business district and the tree lighting followed by visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Festival Park are part of Aberdeen Christmas Street, a holiday festival in the city each year since 1977.
The parade is held rain or shine.
"This is the 37th year, and we've never canceled one yet," Bennett said.
Spectators dressed in rain gear and carrying umbrellas lined both sides of West Bel Air Avenue for the 3 p.m. parade, and they waved as marching bands, fire trucks, Scout troops, local church, community and business groups went by.
Many people marching in the parade wore rain ponchos.
Spectators could also see mascots dressed like popular animated characters, including Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer, the princess Elsa from Disney's "Frozen," Dr. Seuss' Grinch and SpongeBob Squarepants.
"We enjoy seeing this all the time," said Michael Smith, of Aberdeen, who watched the parade with his niece and two sons.
He noted that he lives on Rogers Street near the parade route.
"We always come over here," Smith said. "We have a good time, bring the kids, rain or shine they always have it."
He acknowledged the turnout Saturday was light compared to years when the weather was better.
"When the sun's shining or it's really nice out, this place is packed wall to wall," he said of the parade route.
The rain did not keep families from lining up at the bandstand at Festival Park after the parade, since their children were on a mission to talk to Santa Claus and tell him their Christmas wishes.
Families were also treated to free hot chocolate and cookies provided by Soroptimist International of Havre de Grace.
"Welcome to the City of Aberdeen," Bennett said to the crowd. "We're glad to have each and every one of you!"
Bennett was joined by Maj. Gen. Bruce Crawford, senior commander at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Crawford's wife, Dianne, and Col. Gregory McClinton, the APG garrison commander, as well as members of the Aberdeen Middle School brass band. Band members performed holiday music.
Loretta Anderson, publicity chair for the city's Appearance and Preservation Committee, said 82 parade participants signed up, although some canceled because of the weather.
Members of the committee put on Aberdeen Christmas Street each year.
"We had some really good die-hards come out," Anderson said of the parade participants.
Bennett said organizers made few changes to Aberdeen Christmas Street because of the weather, other than adjustments such as not having fire pits in the park so people could warm themselves while waiting to see Santa.
The festivities included attractions such as breakfast with Santa at Grace United Methodist Church, tours of the Aberdeen Room museum and archives and a Christmas craft fair at the firehouse on Rogers Street.
Bennett said the craft fair "was packed all day long."
"It would have been nice if there could have been a little snow," he said.
Christy Rumbaugh, a member of the Soroptimists, who dispensed hot chocolate and cookies, said there were more people than she expected, but she noted the event is a "tradition" for Aberdeen.
"I think it's because this is what everybody plans for, the first Saturday in December," she said.
Michael Larkins traveled from Edgewood with his daughter, Nashayla, and 3-year-old granddaughter, Kaylee Bolling.
"We come out every single year, and my granddaughter loves this day," Larkins said.
He said the family comes "no matter what."
"It's close, it's great and all the folks here are personable," Larkins said. "They embrace everybody, the kids, the adults, everybody."