A large crowd lined Main Street, up and down, on Saturday afternoon, enjoying sunny but chilly weather to view the 63-unit Gloucester Citizens’ Christmas and Holiday Parade. Another record crowd attended Sunday afternoon’s open house along Main Street, according to organizers.

“As I rode down Main Street in Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue’s Engine 10, Captain David Hamilton commented on the crowds, saying he thought there were more folks on Main Street than ever before,” said Denise Carter, special events coordinator for Gloucester’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism department. “I agreed.”

She said one of the main additions to this year’s parade was the inclusion of three bands. Middle school bands from both Gloucester and Mathews participated, as well as the Gloucester High School Marching Dukes. “The drum beats were plentiful, the music was beautiful and there was toe-tapping going on all throughout the parade,” Ca...