Despite the dreary weather the Covington Days Parade went off Saturday without a hitch while drawing an appreciative crowd on its new route from Jenkins Creek Elementary to Cedar Heights Middle School on Kent Kangley Road.

Country dancers boot scooted, the Jammin’ Summer Marching Band played the iconic music of the Super Mario Bros. video game franchise, Ronald McDonald waved to youngsters lining the parade route, Cub Scouts handed out miniature flags, Kentlake High’s cheerleaders brought Falcon pride and the Allied Waste garbage truck blew bubbles to the delight of the children in the crowd to end the parade.

After the parade families perused the vendor booths, grabbed corn dogs, danced with Susie the Pancake from IHOP and found thrills on carnival rides at the Covington Days festival at Cedar Heights.

The festival began Friday and continues through Sunday.