SCRANTON -- Holiday cheer was in the air and on the streets of the Electric City Saturday.
The annual Santa Parade took over downtown Scranton. Hundreds of people lined the streets to see the entertainment and of course, old Saint Nick.
Dancers and holiday floats were just some of what paraded through the streets of downtown Scranton for the 23rd annual Santa Parade.
It is a long standing tradition in the city and a family tradition for this bunch.
"It's a great way to kick off the holiday season. We've been bringing our kids since they were babies and it just gets better every year,” said Jennifer Palazzari of Jessup.
There were a few changes to the parade including a new start time and a new route. The route change made it easier to navigate the big helium balloons, keep the record breaking number of participants moving and allowed more space for people to watch.
Many people we spoke to like the changes and thought it made watching the parade easier.
Tony Wallace of Old Forge said, "Oh they are wonderful. I was just saying, the little ones to see what they can do. The bands and the singers up there by the courthouse were great. So it was very nice."
While everyone was excited to see the floats and all the dancers, it was the jolly guy they were all waiting for and excited to see.
One family came all the way from Stroudsburg to see the parade. They say it's going to be a new family tradition and hope to one day see their little elf on the parade route.
"There's a lot of parades and traditions that you have to keep going on, especially with what's going on in the world and stuff,” said Daniel Duffy of Stroudsburg. “It keeps peoples mind at ease and lets them have a good time.”
“I think it's great. With everything going on now it's nice to have some tradition and be able to enjoy the holiday season, no worries with your family,” said Christina Duffy of Stroudsburg.
With the beautiful November weather, it was a bright and cheery kickoff to the holiday season.