Thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids Saturday evening for the annual Holiday DeLight parade, part of the Fire and Ice Festival.

For some, like Karen Phillips, this is much more than just a parade, it’s a time to bond with her grandchildren. “This is a family tradition, my grandchildren we bring them here every year,” said Phillips.

For four years, Phillips has been taking her grandchildren, Tyler and Emma, to the parade. Each has their own reason why they enjoy it so much.

When asked what their favorite part was, they responded together, “candy, the signing and bicycles with all the lights,” said Phillips and her grandchildren.

This year, lights and music danced all along downtown Cedar Rapids as 67 entries made their way through the parade route.

“Santa Claus is always a big hit, he is our last entry in the parade and the kids really anticipate him,” said Felicia Wyrick, a volunteer for the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance.