ARLINGTON – It looked as much like an umbrella festival as it did the Hometown Holidays.

But the liquid snow didn’t keep many hundreds of people from attending the city’s holiday event Saturday.

A breakfast put on by the Arlington Education Foundation started things off at President’s Elementary School.

Foundation vice president Kim Deisher-Allen said about 135 people took part in the second annual fund-raiser. The fund help the foundation give out mini grants to teachers in the district. Tinker Bell and Captain America were hits, along with Santa, of course. The antics of elves Alyssa Acosta and Haylie Angel, both 12, brought out smiles in those a little uneasy about Old Saint Nick.

The festivities then moved downtown, with music, a bonfire and Christmas wreaths for sale in a parking lot on Olympic Avenue.

The Lifeway Foursquare Church gave out hot chocolate and invited kids in to do crafts. That afternoon it showed popular Christmas movies, “The Grinch,” and “Charlie Brown Christmas.”

Before that, though, the holiday parade took place. Police, fire, tractors, marching groups and more performed. Onlookers mostly camped out under business overhangs or their own bumbershoots. Cascade Valley Senior Living won the Grand Prize for its Winter Wonderland entry.

Once Santa came through town on a covered wagon, the action moved to Legion Park. The city Christmas tree was lit up, Kent Prairie Elementary students sang, and Santa and Mrs. Claus visited with children of all ages under the gazebo. For those willing to brave the rain, marshmallows were available to cook over an open fire.