CHILLY MARCH: JACKSON HOLDS HOLIDAY PARADE

JACKSON, Mo. -- The light snow that fell on the Jackson Christmas parade Saturday afternoon was unique, as far as Randy Breece could recall.

In 30 years of Christmas parades, he doesn't recall the first snow ever falling that day.

"But it has been colder," he said.

For most of the crowd of about 3,000 who lined the parade route along south High and Main streets, it could have been warmer. Friends and families huddled under awnings or blankets, while some chose to watch the floats go by from their cars.

For part of the parade, Breece's grandson watched from their car. But Breece said he didn't make a special effort to come because of his grandson, who just graduated from college.

"It's the tradition," he said.

Eleven-year-old Courtney Gilmore and five of her friends had come for the fun, and candy. They were positioned as close to the start of the parade as possible, with plans for a trip to a fast food restaurant as soon as the final float passed.

Several varieties of hard candies were tossed from floats or handed out as parade participants walked among the crowd.

Austin Wesel walked the route handing out peppermints in his brown bathrobe, symbolizing a wiseman's garb. He said he would rather be walking than riding with other friends the Zion Lutheran Church of Gordonville's float.

"I think it shows the people that we care by personally handing them the candies," he said.