Those who lined the rain-soaked parade route Sunday afternoon saw a deeper meaning in the 3 mph flow of tractor trailers and tricked-out lowrider cars: an unshakable community spirit.
Many who watched the Bryan College Station Christmas Parade said they attend every year, rain or shine. For some, the rain is better, because it helps weed out the dabblers from the true believers.
"The whole essence of this parade is the celebration of Christmas and the holiday spirit. It doesn't matter how cold it is or how much it rains," said P.J. Vargas, who parked his car along the Texas Avenue route more than an hour before the parade began.
Vargas has been attending for 16 years, watching from the same spot, the parking lot of what's now Fatty's Smoke Shop in Bryan. The Bryan man brought his children, Trey, 7, and Destinee, 12, along with several family members who chomped on hotdogs and sausages.
"It's about family and tradition -- and Aggie spirit," said Ashley Brown, who came with her husband and four children ranging from 2 to 7 years old.
Bryan resident Leah Cantrell was partial to the Aggie Band.
"That's always a big hit," she said.
But the two others she was with had their own favorites. Mason, 9, liked the lowrider cars, and 13-year-old Rio, a springer spaniel, barked at the Brazos Animal Shelter's float, specifically at the dogs walking alongside it.
This year's event was shorter than years past. About 120 entries -- half of them floats -- crept last year down the parade route, which went down University Drive, turned north on Texas Avenue, and ended at the Tejas Center in Bryan. This year, about 70 made the trek after several dropped out at the last minute, said Ben Downs, a parade organizer and participant, who said thousands turned out to watch.
The parade last year took an hour and a half to get past one point, Downs said. The parade didn't stop for performances this year so it only lasted just over an hour.
It began, as it does every year, with the Ross Volunteers -- a group of A&M cadets who make up the Texas Governor's Honor Guard -- and the Aggie Band. It ended with an appearance by Santa Claus, who bares a remarkable resemblance to Downs.
Santa's helpers collect letters from children. Each letter with a legible return address receives a response. Some are heartbreaking, Downs said, such as the ones from children begging for their parents to get back together.
"Those receive a very special response," Downs said.
Raymond Alvarado of Bryan brought his wife, 15-year-old son, and other family members. They came to watch their daughter, Tara, who was on a float for Bryan school Hammond Oliver.
But they would have come anyway, as they have each of the last 14 years they've lived in Bryan, and even before when they were living in Hearne.
"When times are hard, the parade shows you can always enjoy something," Alvarado said.
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