LOWVILLE — For Andy Lehman, Croghan, donning the red suit and white beard has been a tradition.

This time, it was slightly different, as he climbed onto a snowmobile and was towed through downtown Lowville on Saturday for the first Lowville Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade.

"It's always fun to do something different," said Mr. Lehman, who has been playing the part of Santa at the annual Christmas at Croghan festival for 12 years. "We are always wearing the same clothes, but it's good to take part in something new."

His wife, Wendy, was Mrs. Claus and was right at his side on the snowmobiles, tossing candy into the street and spreading a little Christmas joy. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman were joined by the Lowville Business Association and three fire departments as the parade made its way from the Lewis County Fairgrounds to the Lowville Fire Hall on North State Street.

"We were just thinking it's for community support, for local support," said Cindy A. Dosztan, who attended with her two grandchildren, Trenton, 5, and Alexandra, 3. "We've gone to others before in other places, and it's a good thing to help put us in the spirit."

North State Street was lined with children bundled in winter garb and parents sipping coffee. Some children sat in cars, waiting for the parade to pass by, and others started snowball fights and ran into the empty street.

Inside the fire hall, popcorn, hot dogs and hot chocolate were handed out while a cakewalk got under way. The cakewalk is similar to musical chairs, in which a circle is formed and music is the cue for people to move from chair to chair. The difference is that once the music stops, a number is drawn and the person sitting in the numbered chair walks away with a cake. About 20 donated cakes were given away.

While adults came to the parade to support community businesses, the children had one thing on their mind: Santa. Children, with parents in tow, formed a line near the Christmas tree inside the fire hall and waited patiently as Mr. and Mrs. Claus came through the crowd.

"The kids are a good age for Santa," said Tracy L. VanNest, who brought her granddaughter, Sydney, 5. "He's a big draw for the kids."

As soon as Santa sat down, however, the leg of the wicker chair snapped and sent him crashing to the ground, causing a rush of gasps, followed by laughter from the crowd.

"I can't believe the crowd that is here. I hardly see anyone I know and I know everyone," said Holly J. Schell, who was there with her 3-year-old great-grandsons, Kyle and Landon Thisse of Victor. "I'm amazed that we haven't done this before and it's just so nice that we finally are."

According to one of the organizers, Lisa A. Schamback, "We hope it becomes a yearly thing. It came about because of brainstorming and it's to bring the community together."