SPRINGFIELD – A huge crowd gathered on a beautiful day in downtown Springfield for the Parade of the Big Balloons on Nov. 26. 

The day featured some old favorites like the Cat in the Hat and the Melha Shriners clowns and some new additions such as the MGM Lion.

And of course, no parade would be complete without an appearance by Santa Claus, who again showed up atop the Springfield Fire Department's Engine 1.