The sun broke through clouds to light up King Street for the Midland Santa Claus Parade on Saturday.
Midland Civitan Club parade chair Kristyn Tinney had been praying for good weather, and she got it with a low-wind, 2-degree-Celsius morning.
"The parade was awesome. All the floats were amazing," said Megan Edwards, of Port McNicoll, who came with her nieces and nephews.
"My favourite one was Barbie," said Madilyn, of Midland, who had a collection of candy canes, suckers and a hockey puck.
Tara Desjardins recently moved to Midland from Barrie, and this was her first year at the Midland parade. She said she likes day parades better than night ones.
"With kids, it's easier and it's nice to see things," she said.
The parade started with the Pipes and Drums band from Midland's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 80 marching, and there was more music to follow.
Georgian Bay District Secondary School and St. Theresa's Catholic High School bands played on floats.
The Midland Fire Department showcased its vehicles with flashing lights and sirens and flew a drone. Southern Georgian Bay OPP towed a jail float. Simcoe County paramedics were collecting non-perishable food and they handed out candy.
Local organizations including CLH Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe, and the Midland Salvation Army paraded down the street.
Scrooge tried to sleep his way through it but kept getting irritated by people waving at him.
The Grinch made a couple of appearances and, despite children calling out to him, he waved them away with a flap of his green paws.
Speaking of paws: Tails and Trails Dog Walking brought the 12 dogs of Christmas, including a corgi and a great Dane.
Local politicians took part, including Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers and Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop as well as the mayors of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay.
RE/MAX Realtors performed a synchonized routine with briefcases.
Lastly, the wise, old elf himself, Santa Claus, sat atop his new sleigh with lots of children around him, waving to the crowd and calling out, "Merry Christmas."
