Click here for more photos from the parade.

CAVE SPRING — It would have taken far more than the weather to dampen the seasonal spirits of the red-nosed, well-bundled families lining Alabama Street on Saturday night.

Cave Spring’s annual Christmas parade was held rain-free as scheduled, despite light rain throughout the day and forecasts of showers for the night’s annual festivities.

The soggy ground didn’t stop 4-year-old Andrew Stephens from diving onto the pavement to scramble for his first pieces of candy as the parade began. The candy is his favorite part of the parade, said the Cave Spring Elementary pre-schooler.

His 7-year-old sister Lauren Stephens hopped up and down with anticipation as the parade neared. Her favorite part of the parade is Santa Claus, although she enjoyed her share of candy as well. And next best?

“The horses, the horses, the horses!” she squealed.

The threatening weather definitely hurt attendance at this year’s parade, but there were still about 350 to 400 people lining the downtown streets, said Larry Hestely, an organizer. The Christmas parade usually draws a crowd of 600 to 700, he said.

“And for Cave Spring that’s the whole population,” he said. “I think it was a good crowd, considering the weather.”

Former Cave Spring mayor Frank Scalf was the parade’s grand marshal. He awarded the West Floyd Ruritan club’s float the Grand Marshal’s Choice award. Second Baptist Church of Cedartown’s float took away top honors, winning first place with a nativity and crucifixion scene. Live Oak Baptist Church won second place, and Little Creek Baptist Church was awarded third place.

Diane Tant of Cave Spring watched her younger daughter march in the parade with the Coosa High band. She has been attending the event yearly since her 18- and 24-year-old daughters were babies, she said.

“Cave Spring is just my hometown, and it goes back to your childhood,” she said. “It’s that little bit of small-town magic.”