L Photos/LENNY WITTENBROOK ABOVE: Brennen, left, and Mark Carpenter visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Saturday morning. They and other local children had the opportunity to tell St. Nicholas about their Christmas wishes during Breakfast with Santa at the Flushing United Methodist Church.

FLUSHING — A rainy forecast did little to dampen the holiday spirit as residents welcomed the Christmas season on Saturday with a slate of activities that culminated with the annual Christmas parade through the village.

The Flushing American Legion color guard led the procession that included more than 30 units that followed a new route down High Street from Old Cadiz Road and proceeded west to conclude at the firehouse.

The route was changed so it would pass through more of the residential part of town before heading to the downtown business district. Mayor Angelo Vincenzo acknowledged there were some kinks that need to be worked out, but he was pleased with the events of the day despite the rain.

“You know, I told everyone if we went ahead with the parade people would turn out and they did. It just shows that folks want to get out and support their town,” Vincenzo said after the parade.

Nancy Pogacich served as the grand marshal. She received the honor in recognition of her years of service to the community.

Prior to the parade, children enjoyed breakfast with Santa at Flushing United Methodist Church while the Flushing Fire Department was open with concessions and a craft show throughout the morning and early afternoon. Santa was at the Victoria Read Public Library before his trek through town to visit with children who had not yet divulged their Christmas wishes.

An old tradition returned this year when the Christmas Parade Royalty Court was crowned for the first time in a number of years. Ryann Sells was crowned princess and Barclay Wheeler prince, while Ainsley Horvath was honored as queen and Gavin Grant as king.

During the parade it was announced that the children had sold more than $3,000 worth of raffle tickets as part of the contest.

Village Councilman Preston Eberhart, who worked on the parade committee, said, “That was something we did in the past when I was a kid, and we wanted to bring that back and see how it did.”

Lori Mann of the Flushing Fire Department, which served as the hub for Saturday’s festivities, said there was a lot of excitement for the return of the contest in which village children ages 2-5 competed for prince and princess and children ages 6-10 competed for king and queen by selling raffle tickets. Youngsters who sold the most tickets won the titles for the day, and proceeds from the sales benefit the parade fund.

Flushing will hold its tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 8 at the firehouse, which will open with concessions and activities beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature the Union Local Choir and a flag raising by the American Legion and Cub Scouts before the lighting. There will be cookies and crafts for children afterward. The evening will conclude with the band Reflections performing at the firehouse at 7 p.m.