Everyone has a favorite attraction at the Miss-Lou’s annual Christmas parades — and for Arlene Hutchins of Natchez, it was school floats and marching bands.

&uot;We come to the (Natchez) parade every year, and the bands are what we look for,&uot;&160;she said. Not that she is biased — son LeAnthony just happens to play the trombone in Natchez High’s band.

Whatever the reason, crowds lined the main streets of Natchez and Ferriday Saturday morning to gather candy thrown from floats and see the bands and other attractions that made up the cities’ parades. Both events started at 10 a.m.

&uot;She wants some candy, and she loves the sirens,&uot;&160;said Amy Hedrick, referring to daughter Lauren, 7, who craned her neck to get the first glimpse of Santa leading Ferriday’s parade down E.E. Wallace Boulevard.

&uot;And we’ll be at the one tomorrow, too,&uot;&160;said Melissa Loomis, speaking of Vidalia’s Christmas parade, which will start at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Jack Kerwin, a veteran of three wars, was the Natchez parade’s grand marshal, while Clarence and Rose Hymon served as grand marshals of the Ferriday event.

Also, Harriett Smith, who won one of Blue Cross/Blue Shields national Ageless Heroes awards earlier this year for learning to read in her 70s, rode in the Natchez parade.

Floats, including entries by Mardi Gras krewes and local schools, are what keep Mark and Mary Ellen Porter coming back to Natchez’s parade every year. And this year, 2-year-old Mark Jr. was there to join the fun.

Mark Porter Sr. said he was glad that Natchez held its parade in the morning this year instead of at night, like in previous years. &uot;It seems like it would be safer for kids in the daytime,&uot;&160;Porter said, watching as the bands marched along Main Street.

Entries receiving ribbons at Natchez’s parade were Highland Baptist Church, first place; St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Sunday School, second place; and Frazier Primary, third place.

Entries winning ribbons for honorable mentions were Natchez High, the band from Shreveport, La., and the Too Hot to Trot Horse Club and Carla Moyer.