This year’s Christmas Parade offered a special addition: snow.

“The big secret is that I ordered the snow,” Wareham Fire Chief Robert McDuffy admitted. “That’s a little secret that only us fire chiefs know how to do, so I can’t divulge any information.”

For some, the chilly air and snowy weather were just part of the holiday festivities.

“I’m warm. I have layers of clothes on… I love the snow,” said young Ayla Andrews.

“The good Lord came here with the snow to give the parade the spirit,” said spectator Bill Tatlow.

“It snowing made it even better,” said Skippy Wilcox of the Fire Department. “I was a little nervous because it is New England, so you never know what’s going happen.”

For others, the snow and cold were not so much fun.

“The snow was a little challenging,” said Constance Cook of the Onset Carolers. But, she added, “Our main challenge was being in front of a truck playing ‘Frosty the Snowman’ really loudly.”

By the parade’s conclusion, Cook was ready for the indoors.

“I was like, ‘Okay, I got in my exercise, I’m going to go home and make my big soup for the not-so-big storm.'”

The snow made some get creative with their spectating techniques.

After standing in the falling snow, Ariane Fernandes and Blaine Boulanger watched the remainder of the parade while eating pizza at Minerva’s.

“This is our first time inside of Minerva’s, and I think we found a new place to watch the parade,” said Kerri Newman, Boulanger’s aunt.

“The kids were extremely cold. We walked up from Besse Park, and by the time we got to Piper’s, they were done,” said Renee Fernandes-Abbott,Ariane's mother.

At the conclusion of the parade, the fire station on Main Street provided shelter in its garage, where crafts and cookies were featured, and warmth with hot cider and cocoa outside beside the station’s tree.

Children could make their own Christmas ornament, and place it on the tree.

“How much more festive can it get? Christmas parade, snowing, enjoying just being together – that’s what it’s all about," said firefighter David Wahlstrom. "That was our intention, just get everyone out and share a little holiday spirit.”

Wahlstrom marched in the parade alongside others from the Fire Department. The snow, the cold, the crowd were all secondary to just staying in step for Wahlstrom.

“I hoped that my feet were hitting the same as everyone else’s,” he said.

He did recognize the crowd, though.

“It’s nice when you have the community that you serve cheering you on and clapping. That’s always good, and when you walk down Main Street and you see those people, it’s a good feeling,” Wahlstrom said.