Santa Claus greets parade-goers as snow falls during the Spirit of Christmas Parade Saturday in downtown Butler.

As snow cascaded down and covered Main Street, hundreds of spectators lined both sides of the street for the Spirit of Christmas Parade in Butler on Saturday night.

The parade's theme centered around superheroes, and children cheered for Spiderman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern alike. Also featured in the parade were local front-line workers, police and fire companies, Butler sports teams, horse-drawn carriages, dogs, and alpacas dressed in Christmas attire.

Ashley Daily of Butler brought her four children to the parade, and was excited to be back after a year off due to COVID-19.“It's good for the kids to get out of the house,” Daily said.Colton Daily, 6, said his favorite part of the parade was seeing Spiderman, who he dressed up as for Halloween. His 12-year-old sister Bella loved the dogs best, as she wants to be a veterinarian someday.

Prior to the parade, downtown shops remained open in celebration of Small Business Saturday. Miller's Meats sold hot sausage to hungry parade-goers, while next door Cummings Coffee and Candy Shop had a line stretching onto the sidewalk.Santa was spotted taking pictures with children before making way to his parade float.

SheLor School of Dance's troupe of entertainers danced a tap routine as 12 flying reindeer to kick off the parade. Moniteau High School's marching band boasted instruments lined with Christmas lights, while Slippery Rock High School's had a student leading the pack with a fire baton twirling routine.The Butler High School Golden Torando Marching Band performed last, paving the way for Santa's sleigh to close the parade and officially begin the Christmas season in Butler County.

Tina Baxter of Butler said she was attending the parade with her family to see her daughter, Jadyn, play in the Butler marching band.“It's great, it feels back to normal,” said Baxter about attending the parade.Jadyn Baxter, a freshman clarinet player, said this is her first time participating as part of the band, and that her favorite part was the music.“Music-wise, (I love) playing 'Jingle Bells,'” Jadyn said.Kailyn Kroll, a sophomore flute player in the Butler band, said she enjoyed playing the music for the parade spectators most of all.“My favorite part is playing music and watching everyone dance to it and be happy,” Kailyn said.

Barrett, 2, is hoisted up by his father, Zack Young, to wave as the Spirit of Christmas Parade marches past on Main Street.Photography by Steven Dalton/special to the Eagle

A horse-drawn carriage was just one entry that entertained the crowd at the Spirit of Christmas Parade in downtown Butler.photography by Steven Dalton/special to the eagle

Bonnie Reinert of Prospect looks on with her six grandchildren as groups march by on Main Street in Butler on Saturday night.

Color guard members from the Butler High School Golden Tornado Marching Band perform during the Spirit of Christmas Parade on Saturday.