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For the last 10 years, the  Minter Christmas Parade has always meant  something special to Joann Hunter-Walker.

Hunter-Walker and members of her family marched through Saturday’s Minter Parade to honor her daughter, Alexis Hunter, a then-Selma High School student who was murdered on Dec. 21, 2013. Hunter’s birthday is Dec. 7, two days after the Minter Parade.

James and Linda Rutledge, Hunter’s uncle and aunt, and cousins Rachel Edwards and Trinity Johnson, marched in the parade.

“It’s very important that the family participate in the Minter Christmas Parade every year,” Hunter-Walker said. “We’re celebrating Alexis’ birthday and that we were born in Minter, but lived in Selma. If Alexis were alive today, she’d be at the Minter parade.”

Linda Rutledge said that family always need to honor Hunter’s memory and the Minter Christmas parade does just that.

An overflow crowd watched the Minter parade, which President Margaret Fails predicted during the week.

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum opened the parade, followed by Dallas County Commissoner Connel Towns and his District 1 opponent, former Dallas County Commissioner Valerie Reuben.

Several vendors were on the side at the parade, selling Polish Dogs, Hamburgers, assortment of french fries and nachos.

Bicycles, footballs and basketballs were given away.