ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Hundreds of people came out to downtown Elmira to watch the annual holiday parade on Friday morning. There were plenty of recognizable characters like Woody and Buzz from Toy Story, Elmo and friends from Sesame Street, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus made the trip down from the North Pole.
"It’s just so fun, all the characters give high fives and it’s just fun. It’s just different than other parades. They just do a great job of organizing it, and it’s just a nice way to spend the morning," said Penne Watkins, a paradegoer.
Watkins granddaughter Ida was at the parade today, and she said she liked the parade because her dad was Batman. Ida says she's excited for next year's parade because she will be in it as a dalmatian.
Children and their families lined the streets, and some of the kids were able to be in the parade.
Jeriah Moss and Princess Jackson are members of the 607 Unity Dance Team, and they were both unsure of what the parade's theme was. But, they both knew they had to steal the show.
"We found two Grinch songs that really fit and we liked, so we made up dances to them and we’re like you know what, if we’re doing the Grinch, we might as well dress up like it too," said Moss.
While the parade requires hundreds of hands to build, decorate, and organize, Deb Sullivan is the coordinator for the downtown Elmira Holiday Parade - and she's been doing this for over 30 years.
"I do appreciate the community coming together the day of (the parade) to move things and be in it. There wouldn’t be a parade if it wasn’t for all the people that come," said Sullivan.
Sullivan said while some floats got revamped, a new float was added.
"The new float this year was Paddington Bear. We’ve always had this really big bear, and because of Queen Elizabeth’s passing this year, we thought it’d be really cool," said Sullivan.
On the float they included items like a crown, a purse, a peanut butter sandwich, and teacups. The Queen loved her corgis, and Sullivan said it was a tribute.
Sullivan wants to thank Community Bank for being the corporate sponsor and she also wants to thank the Elmira Downtown Development for taking over the parade.
"I just would really like to say – we want you. We want you on the committee, we want your ideas, we want your contacts. It’s a community event. Just give us a call now, and we'll get you on the list," said Sullivan.