JACKSON — Two and half year-old Landen Hill, of Roanoke Rapids, knew exactly who he wanted to see during the annual Jackson Christmas Parade.

Jacqueline Hough | The Daily Herald Santa waves during the annual Christmas parade in Jackson. Advertisement

“I want to see Santa Claus,” he said.

People lined the street during the cold Saturday afternoon to see everything from Parade Marshal Elsie Hilliard to fire trucks and everything in between Saturday afternoon. The parade was sponsored by the Jackson Woman’s Club.

His grandmother, Cindy Barrett, said it was the first time Hill had attended the parade.

When asked if he had been a good boy, Hill quickly said no. Barrett added, “Most of the time, he is a good boy but he has his moments.”

It was also Jada Phillips’s first parade. Her grandmother Doris Coates, of Seaboard, found a good spot for her and her sister Jocelyn. “I love being able to take my granddaughter to her first parade,” she said.

Coates said she attends the parade every year and likes the entire parade. “I like the floats, the bands and the candy,” she said.

Throughout the afternoon, DoDo Johnson and Tammy Martin, of Jackson United Methodist Church, gave out free hot chocolate on behalf of the church. “We just wanted to spread the Christ spirit in Christmas,” Johnson said.

Nancy Daughtry, of Lasker, came prepared for the cold weather. In addition to her coat, she wrapped a blanket around her.

She said she didn’t mind the cold because it contributed to the parade atmosphere. “It makes it feel more like Christmas,” she said.

Daughtry was there to see her niece Emalee Jones, of Jackson, to walk with other Girl Scouts.

Brothers David Heustess and Jim Heustess, of Conway, didn’t come alone to the parade. They brought their miniature schnauzers, Timon and Pumba, to the parade. Both dogs were in matching Tar Heel sweaters for the cold.

“They like to go out and socialize,” David Heustess said. “They don’t care for the sweaters.”

David Heustess’ daughter was walking with the Girl Scouts and his dad was pulling the Women’s Club float.

He admitted he loved seeing the Shriners in a parade whether they were in the mini rigs and cars. “I also like the bands,” David Heustess said.

After being in Florida for 17 years, Jim Heustess was adjusting to the weather here.

“It’s my first one back home,” he said, “It’s OK but I don’t particularly care for the cold.”