VIDALIA, La. – It seems that most children who lined Carter Street with their families Sunday afternoon’s Christmas parade had only two things on their minds:&160;gathering candy and, of course, the man of the hour.

&uot;I want to see Santa Claus! I want the parade to start!&uot; 6-year-old Nathan Wyant of Vidalia said, jumping up and down. Wyant was attending the parade with his mother, Shellie Wyant, and brother Dakota, 4, and Christian, 3.

Santa Claus was also the main attraction for Rashawn Bates, 7, of Natchez, who attended the event with his mother, Frances Bates, and cousin Telvin Bates, 7.

&uot;And candy,&uot;&160;he added, looking east every now and then to see if any floats were coming their way just before the event’s 3 p.m. start.

Actually, the parade had a little something for everyone. Fire trucks and police cars, sirens blaring, led the parade, along with the Vidalia marching band and cars driven by local officials, including Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland.

Miss Vidalia Miranda Higgins and Miss Merry Christmas Sara Chalmers rode in convertibles close to the front of the parade.

They were followed by church and business floats — and the floats of the krewes of Alpheus and St. John — decorated in keeping with this year’s theme, &uot;Joy to the World.&uot;

The Rev. Gary Nunn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vidalia, his wife Kristen and their 11-year-old son, Tyler, stood on Carter Street near the front of the route to get a good view.

Parade winners in the large float category included the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program, first place; Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, second place; and Cathedral Middle School dance, third place. Small float winners included Heritage Manor &uot;Angels,&uot; first place; Concordia Bank & Trust, second place; and Concordia Parish Fire District No. 2, third place.