The Grogan family was among the thousands of spectators who lined Market Place Boulevard on Saturday afternoon for the annual Cumming Christmas Parade & Festival.

"We’re here to get ready for Christmas and to celebrate," said Natalie Grogan, who brought daughters Gabby, 6, and Julianne, 2. "The girls are excited to see Santa."

Cumming Police Chef Scott Burgess said the turnout for the parade was the largest he had seen.

"It was a huge crowd," he said. "I couldn’t tell you exactly how many were there, but it was the biggest crowd I’ve seen in all the years I’ve worked it."

Burgess said "things went very smoothly," noting that more people seemed to know the schedule.

"People were more aware of the date and time this year, so that kept people from getting caught in the parking lots," he said.

The busy retail corridor was closed during the procession, with vehicles not allowed to cross from one side to the other.

The police department and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office worked together to manage the crowds.

"We had pretty much everybody in our department working, and the Sheriff’s Reserve Unit and Mounted Patrol were also out in full force," Burgess said.

Numerous floats, performing groups, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, businesses and government entities took part in the parade, which lasted more than an hour.

Anna Brostrom, director of tourism with the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, attributed the large turnout to the sunny weather Saturday, when the high temperature topped 60 degrees.

"It was a beautiful day, perfect weather," she said.

Brostrom noted that Market Place merchants also seemed to benefit from the crowds.

"One business told me they did more on Saturday than they have any weekend for the past two months," she said.

Awards were given to several of the parade floats, Brostrom said.

Honorees included: Best all around, La Rocca of Georgia Bilingual Ministries; best use of Christmas theme, Sawnee Ballet; most creative, Rooter Plus; and most original, Forsyth County Schools’ transportation department.

After the procession, many in the crowd made their way across Hwy. 20 to Northside Hospital-Forsyth for its annual Celebration of Lights.

Northside administrator Lynn Jackson said about 250 volunteers and hospital staffers spend several weeks ensuring everything is set up for the celebration.

They prepare for anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 people at the annual event, which includes performances by local groups, refreshments, a petting zoo and Christmas bazaar.

The celebration culminates with the lighting of a giant Christmas tree atop the hospital’s roof. Each light represents someone who has battled cancer.

"I think when people see the tree, they know all those lights represent hope," Jackson said.

Jim and Julie Collins, volunteers at the hospital, worked the lost and found area Saturday.

Julie Collins is a three-time cancer survivor.

"This event means a lot to me," she said. "It makes me hopeful for the future and for everyone who is battling cancer.

"It’s a wonderful day. People are happy and all the children are happy."

Saturday’s festivities kicked off at 9 a.m. with the second annual Jingle Jog 5K, a fundraiser for Forsyth Community Connection.