People try to stay warm as they wait for the inauguration. The crowd has filled out since this morning, when the capital was relatively empty.

Even someone who won the election by almost 20 percentage points can’t make his inauguration day warmer.

With temperatures close to the freezing ranges, all but the most dedicated supporers of almost-Gov. Jay Nixon stayed home or waited until the last minute to show up for the parade, which started at 10 a.m.

And Nixon, who will be sworn in at noon, elected to ride rather than walk in his parade. He and his wife, Georganne, came right after the DeSoto High School band from Nixon’s hometown.

The crowd waiting to see Nixon inaugurated has grown since the parade, but is still shy of being jam-packed.

But despite the cold, some supporters came out early. Carmen and Bill Debo of Devil’s Elbow were ready for the parade at about 9:30 because, they said, they were so excited to see Nixon. Both campaigned for him and were glad to get an invite from Nixon to the festivities.

Carmen said she and Bill are glad to see Nixon take office, particulary because Bill has a sister with a disability.

“Blunt hasn’t been kind to people with handicaps,” Bill said.

John and Sheryl Bremer and Tom Wilson drove early from St. Joseph because their children, both seniors, played in the St. Joseph High School band.

“This is really quite an honor for them,” Sheryl said.

Wilson also marched in an inaugural parade in high school, and said he is proud his son Joshua is following in his footsteps.

Sheryl also said seeing Nixon’s inauguration is a “plus.”

Also being sworn in today are the four other statewide officials elected in November: Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Treasurer-elect Clint Zweifel, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and Attorney General-elect Chris Koster.