Thousands of people lined the Festival of Tree's parade route to watch the bands, the tractors, and of course, the balloons.
"There was like a little balloon guy and they were all white, a lot of white," says eight year old Skylar Doak.
This is her first Festival of Trees parade. Joining a lot of other kids scrambling for candy and playing with the clowns. Doak says she'll be back.
"I like parades, and parades are fun a lot," says Doak.
It's also a first time parade for Lori Cole. She works for the Rock Island County Sheriff's office and normally works on Saturdays.
"Gosh I wish I was there, today, I'm here so it's all good."
"I heard it was going to be 60 degrees and I thought, well I might as well take off work, and enjoy it with my neighbors, my boyfriend, it seems like everybody's having a real good time.
Sandy Dunken has watched a couple of parades. She enjoys watching her granddaughter help out.
"Makes me very proud to see that she's volunteering."
Seeing families interacting with each other keeps a longtime parade watcher coming.
"It makes me feel optimistic, about the future when I see so many parents in involved with their young children."
Cecila Braam is a regular. A former social worker, she saw little positive interaction between parents and their children during her career. Making this parade special to her.
"I try to come every year, and I've come for probably 20 years."
Watching Quad City families march toward the holiday season.
