FARMINGTON – A smaller-than-usual crowd watched a shorter-than-usual Chester Greenwood Day parade on Saturday morning in the usual freezing weather.

At 10:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the parade launch, the TD Banknorth temperature sign read 24 degrees Fahrenheit. As the minutes ticked off, the temperature inched up a degree or two.

Marchers and onlookers waited in the cold to honor Franklin County’s native son, who invented earmuffs at the age of 15 while testing a new pair of ice skates.

Greenwood’s ear protectors were still needed and worn by many on Saturday, including a hot-pink pair worn by 6-year-old Wrigley, a black Newfoundland dog that attracted lots of loving attention from passing children.

“This is her first year with earmuffs and she’s not liking them too much,” owner Ellie Duley of Farmington said, while waiting on Main Street for the parade to start.

People across the street at the corner of Broadway and Main crowded around a sidewalk table loaded with goodies. Doing a brisk fund-raising business were girls from the New England All-Star Dancers troupe, selling munchies, hot cider, hot chocolate and, of course, earmuffs.

Down a few streets and up a few blocks, parade participants lined up on Quebec Street and got ready to go from within and beside the Mallett School yard.

Precisely at 11 a.m., the parade got under way with Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike driving a patrol sport-utility vehicle, leading a flags-bearing color guard and people dressed in U.S. Army fatigues, wielding a large white banner proclaiming the event.

Rolling out behind them came a horse-drawn wagon carrying who else but longtime Chester Greenwood portrayer Clyde Ross atop the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce float.

The thin Ross, standing stoically tall in a long, black walking coat, white satiny scarf and black hat given to him years ago by his parents in Boston, was juxtaposed beside a portly Santa Claus, both waving at crowds lining both sides of Quebec Street.

Behind them came teachers and several small, bundled-up Mallett schoolchildren waving colorful placards and exuberantly singing off-key Christmas carols.

Waiting behind more floats and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus astride horses, stood jacketed Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts, many wearing reindeer noses and bright red antlers.

Five rifle-carrying Civil War re-enactors, their sword-bearing leader and an excellent drummer and fife player smartly marched into position in front of Farmington firetrucks and a NorthStar ambulance.

The candy-tossing ensemble was a crowd-pleaser, especially with Diana Pabrinkis of Rochester, N.Y., who was in town visiting the Judkins family of Quebec Street.

“The parade was absolutely delightful,” Pabrinkis said afterward. “To me, this is a benefit of living in a small town and I’m very impressed with all the inventions when the trucks came by, and, of course, the earmuffs. I never knew where they came from.”

She said she loved the Civil War re-enactors, the Clauses on horseback and the smiles on children’s faces.

“It’s a great beginning to the Christmas season. Merry Christmas to everybody in Farmington,” Pabrinkis said.