Annual Thanksgiving Parade Ushers in Holiday Season

A crowd estimated at 20,000 people -- of all ages -- turned out to watch the County’s annual Thanksgiving Parade and welcome the holiday season. As these photos show, parade marchers and observers, alike, seemed to have a good time celebrating the start of the holiday season.

Top. A Montgomery County float represents the historical beginnings of Thanksgiving.

Middle. Baby Smurf -- presented by the Celebrate Downtown Silver Spring Foundation, Inc. -- gets ready to head out along the parade route.

Bottom. Colorful clowns delighted the crowd.

Parade photos by Ken Stanek Photography