Mild weekend weather and temporarily smoke-free skies drew thousands of people to Downtown Lincoln this Fourth of July.

A cool breeze fluttered American flags and cut through warm temperatures to pack streets by early Friday morning for the annual Chamber of Commerce-sponsored parade.

“The lot I parked in had easily double the amount of cars as last year,” said Roseville resident Jason Sutkus. “It looks like there are a lot more people on the street, too. I always thought this was Lincoln’s crown jewel, and I guess the word got out.”

Sutkus attributed the turnout to the weather and the “staycation” trend resulting from rising gas prices.

The Ferrari family staked out a spot on McBean Park Drive early on in anticipation of the candy that would be tossed by Mayor Primo Santini and other parade participants.

“They all have their bags ready,” said Yvette Ferrari. “The kids love the candy.”

“I’m not addicted to candy,” protested her son, John Paul Ferrari.

Jean Mercury, a Boston resident visiting her sister-in-law, was impressed by the scale of the procession, which boasted 54 floats – approximately 20 more than last year, according to the chamber.

“The parades at home combine three or four small cities,” Mercury said. “I think it’s unique to have a town this size doing their own parade.”

Along with visitors, the event attracted many of Lincoln’s oldest families.

The youngest members of the Vineyard family trekked the parade route in cowboy gear to celebrate their heritage as seventh-generation Lincoln ranchers.

“The littlest one gave it up already,” said Vickie Vineyard, gesturing to her exhausted 3-year-old grandson, Wyatt, slumped in a wagon. “Their sister is in the pageant, so we came up with this idea for them.”

More than 20 horses pranced with Charros de Lincoln – their riders dressed in traditional Mexican folk and cowboy wear – to take home a prize for best equestrian float.

“Mexicans like to celebrate Independence Day, too,” laughed Maria Zamora, whose sombrero-donning children were pulled in the Charros’ float.

Eliciting nearly as many cheers as the horses was a group of patriotic pygmy goats – their normally brown fur painted red, white and blue.

“They’re doing really well,” said their 12-year-old owner Shannon Gnile, of West Meadow Ranch Homeschool in Lincoln. “This is their first time (in a parade), and I think they had lots of fun.”

“The only trouble with being in the parade is that you can’t watch it,” said Bill Stephenson, who drove his Neighborhood Electric Vehicle with NEV Lincoln, a group that also earned an award.

“But it beats walking,” he said.

As the parade wound down, the crowds headed to McBean Park for an afternoon of eating and entertainment. Lincoln Highway Band kicked off the music with their country/rockabilly sound, as vendors displayed everything from canine clothing to marshmallow guns.

Though she lives in El Dorado Hills, Judy Grondin, owner of the Original Kettle Korn booth, said prefers to attend Lincoln’s Fourth of July Festival every year.

“This park is a delightful place to work,” she said. “We look forward to this every year – we love the community spirit. And everyone from ages 2 to 90 loves Kettle Korn.”

Lines for vendors such as the Original Kettle Korn and Dave’s Dawgs were only surpassed in size by the wait for the Kids Zone – a small city of bounce houses, including an inflatable bull riding ring.

“A lot of cities (have bounce houses), but the cool thing about Lincoln is it’s free,” said Amber Hooper, whose husband, Jeff, sets up the Kids Zone. “In most cities, it’s not.”

“It’s fun because you get to jump around,” said Haley Higgins, 10.

While last year’s Little Miss Lincoln pageant was canceled due to a lack of applications, 30 young contestants took the stage Friday.

“I love it but I would not want to be one of the judges,” said pageant organizer Debbie Lagge.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” said Yasmine Acuna, 5, whose sparkly red cowboy hat and western-inspired dance moves drew thunderous applause.

Most attending Friday were repeat revelers, including Joe Petersen, who took in his second festival this year with his wife and two daughters.

“It’s a good way to get everyone together,” Petersen said. “There’s a great community spirit here.”