Annual Celebration Showcases Student Talent, Cultural Performances, and Holiday Spirit
The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will bring marching bands, colorful floats, cultural dance performances, and holiday characters to downtown Silver Spring beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. The annual parade, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, will feature performances celebrating the community’s diversity and the start of the holiday season.
The parade will begin at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District and proceed south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and members of the Montgomery County Council will participate in the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. ABC7’s Good Morning Washington co-host and travel correspondent Brian van de Graaff and lifestyle host Roxanne Strouk will serve as emcees. Van de Graaff has hosted the parade for more than a decade.
“As a former teacher, I always enjoy seeing our high school marching bands perform in the Thanksgiving Parade,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “These students work hard all year, putting in countless hours of practice to perfect their music and routines. They represent their schools and our community with tremendous talent and school spirit. It’s great to see them share that with everyone who comes out to watch.”
Montgomery County high school marching bands will bring a variety of music and performances to this year’s parade. The James Hubert Blake High School Roaring Bengals will perform Usher’s “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” from their Kings of Pop halftime show. Springbrook High School’s Blue Flames will perform selections from their Love Is More Powerful Than Hate show, including Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” and “Beat It,” Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” and Bad Bunny’s “Baile Inolvidable.” Northwood High School’s Gladiators will perform music from their Lost in the 80s show, featuring artists Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, and The Clash. The Spirit of Clarksburg Marching Band will perform following its recent trip to Beijing, China. John F. Kennedy High School’s Marching Cavaliers will be joined by the school’s pom squad, color guard, and other student groups.
In addition to the marching bands, spectators will enjoy performances by cultural dance groups and Nutcracker-themed performances by Akhmedova Ballet and Maryland Youth Ballet. The parade will begin with autumn harvest and Thanksgiving-themed units before transitioning to winter holiday displays featuring giant inflatable turkeys, festive floats, Hanukkah characters, reindeer, elves, and Santa Claus.
The parade will take place rain or shine. Spectators can watch along the route on Georgia Avenue, with featured performances near the grandstand at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street.
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Volunteers
Volunteers bring the parade’s inflatables, floats, and festive costumed units to life. Adults and students ages 13 and older seeking Student Service Learning (SSL) hours can register to volunteer.
Volunteers can enjoy a festive experience complete with hot cocoa, cookies, and opportunities to dress up as a turkey, gingerbread man, elf, dreidel, or one of the parade’s many other holiday characters.
Road Closures and Parking
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Road closures will be in effect in downtown Silver Spring from 6 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. Both northbound and southbound lanes of Georgia Avenue between East-West Highway and Colesville Road will be closed during the parade. Spectators are encouraged to take the Metro Red Line to the Silver Spring station.
Parking will be available in public garages, including the Sligo Avenue, Cameron Street, and Bonifant Street garages. The Ellsworth Town Center garage will close at 2 a.m., and the Wayne Avenue garage will close at 8 a.m. Both garages are expected to reopen by 2 p.m.
For more information about the parade, route, parking, and road closures, visit SilverSpringDowntown.com.
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Read the original article at mcgov
