It wouldn't be the holiday season without the Watertown Christmas parade. Hundreds gathered on Washington Street to watch as the floats passed. A special appearance from Santa made the event more cheerful. YNN's Carmella Mataloni has the story.

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WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- They were all waiting for one person.

“What do you most like to see? Santa … yes, Santa absolutely,” said Kris Schara of Watertown.

People gathered on Washington Street dressed head to toe in coats and hats, waiting patiently in the cold as the floats went by.

Pageant winners, organizations handing out candy, and even a captain on his ship were just some of the participants, but the jolly man in red had the attention of all the onlookers.

Children who watched love the holiday atmosphere.

“We just thought it would be fun to come and watch the parade,” said nine-year-old Alicia Marra.

“Because it’s going to be fun,” said four-year-old Stephen Marra.

“I wanted to come watch to see who was going to be in it,” said seven-year-old Rebecca Marra.

Coming to the Christmas parade is a tradition for a lot of the families in Watertown and it’s something they look forward to every year.

“We come every year, every year. Well, she’s six so this is our sixth year, and we come every year,” said Schara.

Tiffany Thomas, a Watertown resident said, “It’s just, I do it every year. It's a family thing. This year my family is working so I'm just going to try to like keep it going and just come every year."

One first time parade goer says events like this lift up the entire community.

“It brings people together and it keeps the holiday spirit alive,” said Bobbie Marra of Martinsburg.

"There's really not a lot to do. Especially if there is no snow there is not much to get outside and do, so it's just something to look forward to," said Schara.