Thousands filled the streets of downtown 91原创 City for the annual Magic of Christmas parade Saturday, an annual tradition that has often been a rain-drenched affair.
But not this year.
With the dry, cold weather, Santa and Mrs. Claus were able to use an open-air carriage for a change, and McBurney plaza was packed for the official tree-lighting ceremony and the live choir concert that preceded it.
Organizers were telling people it would be a good idea to get downtown a bit in advance of the 6 p.m. start time and City of 91原创 staff were offering to keep children occupied with a crafts tent by the parade route that let youngsters try their hand at gingerbread house making.
A snow sculpture that wasn鈥檛 actually made from snow featured a group of penguins and a message of Merry Chrtistmas for visitors to McBurney.
Sculptors David Dureault and Bruce Waugh said because they were working with ice scrapings from the Twin Rinks arena and the daytime weather was a little warm for art that could melt, they opted for a simple design that as less likely to fall apart.
鈥淵ou want to do something that鈥檚 not going to collapse,鈥� Dureault said.
While a crowd estimate was not immediately available, its believed attendance was up substantially from last year.
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More photos of the parade can be viewed .
More to come.
