OGDEN -- More than 200 runners dressed as Santa Claus ran down Washington Boulevard late Saturday afternoon as a prelude to the annual Holiday Electric Light Parade.
"This is great," exclaimed Barbara Warren, a resident of North Ogden and a participant in Santa Run 2009. "I heard about it last year and had to join in the fun this time around."
In its second year, the 5k "timed fun run" included a free Santa hat, beard, and red long-sleeved shirt to all who entered, ensuring that everyone looked as Santa-like as possible.
"There are a lot of Santas out here running around," said Dennis Hotel, 6, of Roy. "Everyone knows there's only one real Santa, though."
Throngs of warmly dressed onlookers were on hand for the run, the crowd growing larger as the parade start time neared.
Bagpipes played by the Ben Lomond High School Bagpipe Corps sounded with holiday tunes as the parade started.
Daniel Larsen, 6, the parade grand marshal, sat atop a Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by Brent Allenbach, president of Golden Spike Harley-Davidson.
"We are honored to be involved in the parade again and to make Daniel's wish come true," said Allenbach, who partnered with the Make-A-Wish foundation once they received word that Larsen's biggest wish was to ride a Harley. "He is such a delightful kid."
Bystanders stood about four deep along the Washington Boulevard parade route, from 22nd Street to 26th Street, smiling as the parade floats passed by.
A total of 49 organizations participated in this year's parade.
"There's a fire truck, and candy, and lots of lights," said Tabitha McDonald, 3, from Logan. "I liked the choo-choo train best."
Daniel arrived at the back entrance to Ogden Amphitheater with his procession of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a grin from ear-to-ear.
"This was the most awesome thing ever," the youngster said as he got off the motorcycle. "Everyone was yelling my name as I was riding by and waving to them."
Santa Claus soon emerged from Ogden Amphitheater and greeted the boy, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006 and again one year later.
"I asked Santa for a Nintendo DS this year for Christmas," said Daniel before he entered the amphitheater for the Christmas Village lighting ceremony that followed the parade. "Now on Santa's days off maybe he will go riding on a motorcycle."
Daniel and Santa Claus headed out on the stage of Ogden Amphitheater to a cheering crowd, and flipped the switch.
Fireworks lit up the sky and the lights in Ogden's Christmas Village shone bright, signaling the start of the 2009 holiday season.
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