MARSHVILLE — Mashad Hester and Tristan Jackson jostled for position so they could fill their pockets with candy.

According to the brothers, there is no secret to getting the most candy; well, at least none that they would divulge.

“You just gotta go get it,” Hester said.

The boys stood with hundreds who lined the streets of downtown Marshville to take in the holiday parade.

“We have more entries than we’ve ever had,” Kay Strawn, who helped organize the parade with the Marshville Chamber of Commerce, said before the start. “This will be one of the best.”

The Baby Boll Weevil king and queen led the way, followed by Christmas music serenades from the Forest Hills and Piedmont marching bands. Forest Hills’ cheerleaders riled up the crowd with their defining “We-say-Forest-you-say-Hills” cheer and aspiring tumblers from Victory Talent Dance and Gymnastics cartwheeled down the road.

Organizers say the parade officially ushers in the holiday season. Downtown will be decorated until the new year.

The Union County Christmas Parade begins today at 2 p.m. in downtown Monroe and will feature 10 high school marching bands and princesses from area schools.