Candy littered the streets as family, friends and neighbors gathered to witness lights, music, dancing and much more Tuesday night in Nederland.

The Nederland Chamber of Commerce Annual Lighted Christmas Parade commenced on Nederland Avenue and ended on Boston Avenue in front of Central Middle School.

Many people attended; and many people attended to support family members.

“We’ve been coming here every year, ever since it began,” Frank Fornols said of him and his wife, Debbie.

In Fornols’ opinion, the parade has only grown since the outset.

“It’s gotten a lot bigger. It’s three times bigger than it was five years ago,” Fornols said. “Five years ago, there were 15 to 20 floats; now (it seems) there’s 80 or 90 floats.”

For Fornols, seeing the children have fun and enjoying the communal aspect was his favorite part of the parade.

“Just seeing all the kids having fun and get into the Christmas spirit,” Fornols said. “It’s brought a lot of people from many towns together.”

Frank and Debbie went to this year’s parade to see their grandson

“Our grandson is in one of the Boy Scout floats,” Fornols said.

In a similar vein, Ron Michael attended because his granddaughters are in the parade. One of them was Little Miss Tiny Princess in the Heritage Festival.

“It looks like it’s growing,” Michael said. “My family has been a part of this parade.”

Jessica Lybel brought her niece to enjoy the festivities.

“I brought my niece because she’s never been before. It’s her first time,” Lybel said.

It was not, however, Lybel’s first time to attend Nederland’s Lighted Parade.

“I used to live right around here,” Lybel said. “My family and I lived here and came all the time.”

According to Lybel, the parade was worth it for the children.

“It’s fun for the kids and for how excited they get,” she said.

Another parade veteran, Joseph Rosemond, was in attendance supporting his daughter, who was in the Tekoa Academy procession.

Rosemond estimated that he has been attending the Nederland Lighted Parade for 10 years.

“I come for the candy, fun, beads, enjoyment and meeting new people,” Rosemond said. “We come together and enjoy together.”

Rosemond also commented that the parade atmosphere was a good way to block out the more stressful aspects of daily life.

“You can just relax. Get your mind off of things,” Rosemond said. “And family’s in the parade — it brings you enjoyment.”

For many of the attendees, family was what brought them to the parade.

“My grandkids,” Mary McNeal responded when asked her reason for coming out. Her grandson, Andrew, named his favorite parts of the parade:

“The candy and the lights and Santa — and the ambulance,” he said.

Kayla Dickens went out to the parade for her daughter and for her friends’ children, but the parade was nothing new to her.

“I’ve been coming here around 12 years,” Dickens said. “My favorite parts are the lights and music.”

If trying to collect candy, Dickens recommended, “Children are excellent candy-catchers.”

Laura Enterline came to the parade to see her granddaughter in the procession, but, as with attendees, it was not her first time at the Lighted Parade.

“I grew up here,” Enterline said. “So I’ve been coming here for as long as it’s been held.”

The marching bands and her granddaughter were her favorite highlights of the parade, Enterline said.

“The whole town’s out here.”