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DAPHNE, Ala. — Hundreds gathered on Main Street to ring in the holiday season as more than 50 floats paraded through Olde Towne Daphne, followed by the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting at City Hall.

Members of the parade — which snaked down Main Street from Santa Rosa Avenue to Centennial Park — threw plastic cups, assorted candies and plastic-beaded necklaces.

Tom Byrne played Santa Claus, rounding out the parade by wishing all guests a merry Christmas and happy new year.

Grandma was “run over by a reindeer” as a young man dressed in a kitchen apron and curly wig, accompanied by a life-sized dancing egg-nog carton and a surgeon, danced around wildly, in “drunken stupor,” and was then hit by a passing car and pronounced dead by a doctor. The performance gave a nod to a popular Christmas song that presented a similar scenario.

After the parade, those in attendance gathered on the grounds of City Hall to hear the W.J. Carroll Intermediate choir sing a medley of holiday favorites, including: “Deck The Halls,” “Christmas Tree Feud,” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”

Last year, the city experienced some technical difficulties while lighting the tree, with the lights only working about halfway at first. This year, there were no problems.

Two of Mayor Fred Small’s children lit the tree; the mayor was unable to attend as he was participating in a school-sponsored event out of town.

“This is just a splendid atmosphere, so enjoyable,” Frank Torres said. “Downtown is dressed in red and green and the smell of hot chocolate is everywhere. It smells like Christmas to me.”

“We come every year because we know it’s going to be a fun time,” Dana Calle said. “We’ve got two small children and this is just a great place to bring the kids during the holidays.”

“I can’t wait for Christmas,” Desiree Calle, 6, said. “I wish it was already here.”

Her sister, Julie, 4, agreed, while chewing on a candy cane.

“Christmas is the best time of year.”