Long lines of people fought off the cold and a light snow to get a close-up look more than a dozen floats decked out in holiday lights and decorations.

Children scrambled away from the curb to collect candy tossed from the floats and onlookers captured photos and videos of the parade’s entries.

Some of the floats had Christmas music playing, enhancing the Christmas mood as some in the crowd sang along or swayed to the music.

Trevor Dills was at the parade with his wife and two children. He called the weather a little nippy, but said it was worth enduring a few shivers to absorb the holiday spirit.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A huge inflatable Frosty the Snowman towers over the streets of downtown Alpena during the annual holiday parade on Friday. The parade featured several floats, each with Christmas lights and decorations.

“The downtown looks amazing, the floats are amazing, and people are just having a good time and seem like they are ready for Christmas,” Dills said. “It’s a little cold, but it is winter in Northeast Michigan.”

As the floats passed by and the end of the parade neared, the excitement for St. Nick’s appearance heightened and the crowd showed their love for him as he waved while passing slowly by.

Christina Hobbs said the first time you see Santa during the holiday season is always a special moment, no your age. She said Santa never fails to amp up the crowd. She said she is excited to take her three children to visit him when he returns to Alpena.

“Seeing Santa is Christmas magic, no matter how old you are,” she said. “Of course, everything else in the parade was wonderful, but I think, if everyone is being honest, the highlight is Santa.”

Santa will make several other stops in Alpena before Christmas Eve. He will visit his pop-up house in Culligan Plaza every Friday and Saturday in December. He will meet with people from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays and from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Santa Claus waves to the people of Alpena on Friday. Jolly ol’ St. Nick was on one of the floats during Friday’s Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade in downtown Alpena.

When the parade concluded, hundreds of people joined up at Culligan Plaza for the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

Alpena Mayor Cindy Johnson said Alpena County donated the tree, which is from the Alpena County Fairgrounds and is the largest Christmas tree ever to grace Culligan Plaza.

The bright lights on the towering tree illuminated the heart of downtown, with the other Christmas lights displayed nearby adding accents up and down 2nd Avenue and Chisholm Street.

After the tree was illuminated, people took time to pose for pictures.

Trudi Markinson said the lights, decorations, and snowflakes in the air made downtown Alpena look like a set used in a scene in a holiday movie.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A float replicating a large gingerbread house passes spectators on 2nd Avenue during the annual Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade in downtown Alpena on Friday.

“It is absolutely gorgeous, and everything looks so festive,” Markinson said. “It really gives off a classic, Christmassy vibe.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.