This year’s Holiday Parade almost took place without its fire-breathing star, the multi-legged thing that for years has snaked down Main Street snorting pressurized flour out of its snout to simulate smoke.

The snow dragon.

Annette Smith, the keeper of the dragon who has worked for years to make the beloved prop work, was out of town for this year’s parade on Saturday.

She told organizers she wasn’t comfortable with it being used without her…