The show went on under threatening skies and a drizzle, and the Mathews Christmas Parade on Saturday drew people to the village as intended. They stood along the route hooded in parkas and under umbrellas, or bravely bareheaded, and the steady rain that fell later in the day held off until all the units had passed down Main Street.

The parade was directed by co-chairs Ann Miller, JoAnn Mulvaney and Brenda Baker. Miller said 52 units were registered, “which is the most we have had in the three years that we have sponsored the event.”

She said some units cancelled due to the possibility of rain, but there was a good showing of fire and rescue trucks, scouts, church groups, old cars and various other walking units from local civic groups.

Miller offered “a big thank you to all the participants that either walked or rode, and an even bigger thank you to all the spectators that endured the cold and mist to ce...