Candidates for offices ranging from Governor to State Representative walked in the parade and shook hands along the way.

It was a festive way of getting through the "dog days" of the campaign season. The race in the Ninth Congressional District has recently focused on healthcare.

Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer and Democrat Judy Baker both said their plan will give more Missourians health insurance while managing costs.

"My opponent will want to call it 'socialized medicine,' and he's just trying to scare people. It could not be farther from the truth. I'm looking at a combination of private and public solutions that will make sure every American has access so we can bring down the cost," Baker said.

"This is a very personal issue with myself and my family. We have cancer in the family; my mother is a cancer survivor, my dad's had cancer for a number of years. I'd work very hard in the House to be able to address this issue," Luetkemeyer said.

Both campaigns sent volunteers to Faurot Field Saturday afternoon.