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Councilman Clyde Sanders poses with Grand Marshal Gary Franklin Bass, III.

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Santa rides atop this fire truck and throws candy to the girls and boys.

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Dohante Simmons and DeAndre Milton pet this horse as it passes by.

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Onlookers wait for the Shriner's motorcyclists to head their way.

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This float represented the Fairfield County Recreation Department.

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The Blair Girl Scouts strutted their way to a parade award.

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Felecia Tolbert, Miss Military Ball 2012, enjoyed riding with the top down on a warn December day.

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Churches entered floats that showed the reason for the Christmas season.

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The angels enjoy waving to the crowd.

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Area beauty queens ride in this float provided by the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce.

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The Fairfield Central High School Marching Band used music and dance to wow the crowds.

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Frances O'Neal and Shamieka Sims ride on the Fairfield Genealogical Society float, which won best over all float.

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Sheriff Herman Young waves in the parade.

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Councilman Jackie Wilkes cruises the parade route.

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Councilman Clyde Sanders drives Grand Marshal Gary Franklin Bass, III in the parade.

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WINNSBORO — Crowds of Fairfield County residents turned out Sunday as Congress Street became a toy land during the annual Winnsboro Christmas parade.

Audience members said this year’s parade was longer than last year’s.

Fairfield County Community Development Coordinator Connie Shackleford, who coordinated the parade, was excited that this year the event included a DJ with Christmas music and included vendors near the square.

Santa Claus also made his obligatory appearance and even stayed a while in the clock tower building for children to come by and sit on his lap to tell what they wanted for Christmas.

This year awards were given to floats and walking groups.

Best Overall Float went to the Fairfield County Genealogical Society.

Best Walking Group went to the members of Girl Scout Troop 2388, 3318 and 3328.

Best Church Float came from Union Memorial Presbyterian Church and Best Themed Float was from Washington Street Baptist Church. Sam Edenfield had the Best Decorated Vehicle.

Children and adults enjoyed the various entries and the children scurried out into the street often for the copious amounts of candy thrown their way.

At the end of the parade, grand marshal Gary Franklin Bass III and Councilman Clyde Sanders lit the Fairfield County Christmas tree.

The event was part of the Chamber of Commerce’s Shop Fairfield County First initiative, but mostly it was about getting into the spirit of the season, sharing old memories with friends and making new ones.