NATCHEZ — Other than Santa, few local celebrities rolled down Carter Street in the Vidalia Christmas parade Sunday afternoon.

The theme this year of “unsung heroes,” and city employees served as the grand marshals and enjoyed a very chilly moment in the spotlight.

Concordia Parish Mounted Patrol, for instance, rode by on their horses throwing candy and beads to spectators, giving children even more of a reason to view the public servants as heroes.

And children did not mind exposing their little hands to the cold air to unwrap their candy mid-parade.

“This one loves chocolate,” Karla Mack said of her 2-year-old son, Sam.

“Actually he calls it Shockolate, with an ‘s.’”

Sam was bundled in a hoodie, coat and hat with ear flaps, waiting for Santa.

“We already have some runny noses,” Mack said.

Mack held her 10-month-old son, Fin, who was sporting a miniature snowsuit for the occasion that was purchased for a trip to Utah planned for January.

Mack attended the parade with her husband, mother, sister and two sons.

Growing up in Natchez, Mack attended the Vidalia and Natchez Christmas parades as a child, and now she loves watching the joy on the faces of her children at the same event.

“Seeing the magic in their eyes,” Mack said, is a big reason she fights traffic to attend the parade.

“I think it’s good for the children and helps (them) get into the holiday spirit,” Mack said.

Mack’s husband, James, said he also gets a kick out of observing his sons’ excitement.

“I like coming to the parade — especially to see their faces,” James said.

Another couple attended the parade without children, or at least human children.

Just because John and Debbie Brocato are empty nesters does not mean they would consider staying at home for the Christmas parade.

“There’s no more babies anymore, but we still enjoy coming out her to celebrate,” John said.

“Our son is 25 and living in New York (City), so he’s the baby,” Debbie said about the dog she was cradling.

Debbie said although their only son has moved away, they still treat the baby of the family, they’re dachshund, Judah, to the festivities.

“I think he would have enjoyed it more if it were not so cold,” Debbie said.

The Brocatos arrived at the parade route at 2:30 p.m., 30 minutes before it started, and scored the last parking spot in the Subway parking lot.

With the truck’s tailgate facing Carter Street and folding camping chairs to sit in, the couple and 2-year-old dog had prime viewing spots.

Debbie also said she was impressed with the parade’s turnout.

“It’s a pretty good crowd; Vidalia is growing,” she said.

The Christmas parade was sponsored by the Vidalia Women’s Club.