Sidewalks in downtown Suffolk were packed with people as they waited for the 2018 Holiday Parade on Saturday evening.

There were more than 60 different floats, bands and organizations showing their Christmas cheer to the theme of “Jingle Bell Rock.”

People came from all over Suffolk and even some other cities to come and enjoy the cheer despite the low temperatures.

Mark Montague walked down Main Street with his Chesapeake Bay retriever, Sampson, to pass out candy canes and holiday cheer from Believers Church.

“We recently moved to the Harbour View area, and we wanted to reach out and let people know where we are,” Montague said.

Montague said he was happy to take in the beauty of the holidays in Suffolk.

“I like the quaintness in Suffolk. It’s the best part,” Montague said. “it’s great to see all the smiling faces and the kids waiting in excitement for the parade.”

The parade is something that lifelong Suffolk residents look forward to every year. Cheyenne Schmack can remember watching the parade when she was little, and she still loves coming to see the Christmas cheer.

“I’ve been coming every year since I can remember,” Schmack said. “The bands are the best part of the parade. Everybody is so friendly and always in the Christmas spirit.”

While people in Suffolk love the parade, there were residents of other Hampton Roads cities in attendance. Some had planned to be there, but Leo Rodriguez happily stumbled upon the festivities.

Rodriguez originally came to Suffolk to walk around Lone Star Lakes Park and before he left, he wandered into downtown and found the parade.

“We just found a parade in downtown after we went to Lone Star Park to hike,” Rodriguez said. “I love the atmosphere and the people here.”

There were nine awards given to various groups:

• Best Marching/Walking Unit — Nansemond River JRTOC
• Best Animal Unit — Suffolk 4H Wonderpups
• Best Float Unit — Norfolk Naval Shipyard
• Best Performance Unit — Dynamic Movements School of Performing Arts Inc.
• Best Motorized Unit — Driver Volunteer Fire Department
• Best School Band — First, King’s Fork High School; Second, Lakeland High School; Third, Windsor High School
• Best Non-School Band — First, Shark City Drum; Second, C.V. Russell Jr.; Third, The Kingdom’s Marching Soldiers
• Best Themed Entry — iDance
• Best Light Display — Dynamic Movement of Performing Arts Inc.