For more than an hour Saturday night, the sounds of marching bands, sirens and Christmas carols filled the air in downtown Butler.

Despite some rain earlier in the day, hundreds of people came to see the annual Spirit of Christmas Parade followed by Light Up Night.

The events coincided with Small Business Saturday with other activities occurring during the day.

Though many visitors bearing umbrellas came early to get a spot on the sidewalk, they didn't need them as the rain had subsided by the time the parade kicked off at 5:30 p.m.

The parade, which lasted more than an hour, featured marching bands, firetrucks, Christmas music, floats, businesses, and civic groups. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus completed the lineup.

Celeste Mulneix, 5, of Butler shared her favorite part of the parade after it had finished.

“I liked the part where Hello Kitty came. I have a Hello Kitty backpack!” she said.

Celeste's grandmother Mary Andreassi said they come every year to see the parade.

“I especially like seeing the Butler High marching band,” she said.

The parade in its 51st year is a tradition for many families.

Kesha Weiland of Prospect said she came with family to see the parade.

“It's a tradition ever since she was a little baby,” she said about her 3-year-old niece.

For others, it was time to start a new family tradition.

Nic Garllot of Butler said he and his wife, Maggie, brought their infant, Will, to see the parade.

“It's the boy's first parade and a nice night out on the town,” Garllot said.

Grace and Hannah Roth of Butler said it is a family tradition to see the parade, and they were also looking out for cousins in one of the marching bands.

“I'm a big fan of Christmas; 'tis the season,” Grace Roth said.

Katheryn Wingerson, 9, of West Sunbury said her family always enjoys the parade.

“I like all the different balloons,” she said.

Ellie Wingerson, who brought her granddaughters, said they waited to have Thanksgiving dinner until Saturday when the whole family could be together.

“We're here waiting for the parade, and then we're going to go home for dessert,” she said.

Following the parade, Mayor Tom Donaldson and Santa Claus lit up the Christmas tree in Diamond Park.

The tree is adorned with purple ribbons that people bought in memory, in support or in honor of friends or family members who have had cancer.

The ribbons have been a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society for five years, said volunteer Leann Cramer.

After the tree lighting, Cramer read all the names of the people for whom ribbons were bought.

The tree and a sign listing the names will remain in the park until January.

Cramer hoped there would be more than 100 ribbons hung by the end of the night.