PIEDMONT — Bonnes Amies Club leaders said the parade was a “hit” once again this year, as local residents braved the 35-degree weather to attend the annual event.

This year’s festivities included about 65 floats in the parade, the Little Miss/Master contest, and the Candy Cane Lane after the parade in the Piedmont Community Building.

The Candy Cane Lane is a relatively new part of the event.

Children were able to sit on Santa’s lap, have their pictures taken with him and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Also, the Bonnes Amies Club announced the top two secular floats, the top two religious floats, and the best bands.

“The entries were all beautiful and well presented,” said Maxie Freeman, one of the parade’s directors. “We are very fortunate to have so many people and organizations kind enough to help us out with this event by bringing in their entries, and believe me, the Bonnes Amies Club is very appreciative of each and every one of (them) who entered and made this a very successful parade.”

The Bonnes Amies Club has been organizing and directing the parade for the past few years.

Float winners:

Best overall: Wren Baptist Church

Prestige Band: Carolina High School

Band first place: Wren High School

1st place — secular: Girl Scout Troop 2909

2nd place — secular: Downtown Café

1st place — religious: Pelzer Church of God

2nd place — religious: Bethel Church of God

Little Miss/Master Merry Christmas contest:

Tiny Miss Merry Christmas: Haley Crider.

Wee Miss Merry Christmas: Marley Merritt.

Wee Master Merry Christmas: Reece Morgan.

“(We) were thrilled to have several entries in this contest and they were all the cutest little folks you have ever seen,” Freeman said.