Santa makes a comeback at downtown parade

Santa visited Baton Rouge in 1950 and he’s been back every year since for the Greater Baton Rouge Downtown Christmas Parade. The tradition continues Saturday, as Cadillac dealer Ron Duplessis and the Cortana Kiwanis invite everyone to partake in the holiday fun. More than 70 floats, marching bands and a first-time royalty court will roll from the River Center to the State Capitol. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux is grand marshal, and students from Hope Academy are honorary grand marshals. Show up early to the River Center for a battle of the bands (3:15 p.m.) and a free health screening (a $115 value) inside the Walgreen’s tour bus (2 p.m. to 8 p.m.). Click here for a map of the parade route.