Kicking off the holiday season

OSHKOSH - Christmas may be more than a month away, but it was in the air Thursday night. FOX 11 went to the annual Holiday Parade in Oshkosh.    

Hundreds hit the streets despite the chill in the air to start the holidays off right, but the early birds get the best spots for the Oshkosh Holiday Parade.

"Because of the crowds, definitely the crowds.  It brings a lot of people to downtown Oshkosh," said Megan Monroe.

And come prepared.

"Well last year we did this and we froze our butts off.  So this year we brought 40-some handwarmers, we made our own hot chocolate, brought a bag of popcorn," said Todd Grubofski.

But there's one big reason the grownups brave the cold year after year.

"Well, the kids.  It's fun," said Monroe.

And what makes the parade so fun?  The number one answer might not surprise you. The majority of the kids we spoke with told us the free candy thrown at the parade is the best part.

But even though candy is dandy, kids of all ages were excited to see the man from the North Pole: Santa himself.

And soon enough he'll be coming to town.