The Grinch was anything but grumpy walking down Main Street during Sunday’s parade. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

AUBURN — The Christmas in Auburn parade, tree lighting and Santa Claus visit at Festival Plaza drew hundreds of residents and visitors Sunday.

As shoppers at the Anniversary Park Shopping Village wrapped up their gift buying outing around 3 p.m., and as folks lined the sidewalks all the way down to the plaza, trucks and floats were preparing for the one-mile crawl down Main Street to the plaza. Free hot chocolate was available for onlookers awaiting the festivities, as holiday music filled the air.

Dozens of vehicles and floats were joined by a schools bus from Auburn School Department, fire trucks from Auburn and Minot, city police and Androscoggin County Sheriff’s cruisers. The themed and festively decorated vehicles represented several local organizations, businesses, teams and churches, all intent on inspiring holiday cheer.

Isaac, 8, of Auburn was enjoying his hot chocolate and waiting for the tree lighting when he shared that he had his wish list all figured out ahead of Santa’s arrival. However, the first thing that came to mind for him when asked why he can’t wait to see Santa had nothing to do with gifts.

“I can’t wait to see Santa because he’s kind,” Isaac said. As for Christmas wishes, Isaac said he had it all figured out. “I want Pokémon and Legos and a lava lamp.”

Mason Nadeau, left and Marcus Santamaria, right wave to Santa Claus Sunday night in Festival Plaza as he arrives at the end of the parade. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

The parade was the first the city held since before the pandemic, said Liz Allen, the city’s director of communications. City staff was excited to bring the tradition back, she said.

Mayor Jeff Harmon said it’s been too long since Auburn had its last holiday shindig.

“I think this is a great community event,” Harmon said. “The city council wanted to have some more family-friendly events, so they decided to reinstate the Christmas parade. We figured we’d get a good crowd to come out and we’ll see how it goes.”

Friends Jackie Dyer and Chris Miller came to the plaza with Jackie’s 19-month-old, Elizabeth, who enjoyed spins and twirls while waiting for the parade to begin.

Miller said he came down from Greene to enjoy everything about the holiday celebration. Dyer and Elizabeth hopped over from their home in Auburn mostly for the tree lighting, but the parade, hot chocolate and Santa were an awesome bonus, Dyer said.

The Saucier family came from across the river in Lewiston to see the parade and tree lighting. Tony and Kelsey Saucier said Everett, 3, and Oliver, 5, were especially excited to see the parade, tree lighting and Santa Claus, but the real fun was in watching the kids find the general holiday cheer.

“This year is really about the enjoyment that the kids get from the holidays,” Tony Saucier said.

Oliver Saucier said he has a list going at home of all the things he’d like to get for Christmas. However, ahead of his visit with Santa, he clammed up about what was on the list.

“Legos,” Oliver said somewhat uncertainly. “Alright, I did already (make my list), but I forgot.”

Santa rides on a City of Auburn ATV as he makes his way to Festival Plaza where he lit the Christmas tree. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal) Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal