The reverberating drums of the marching bands will herald the coming of the Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade even before you catch sight of the first glittering float or giant inflatable turkey gliding through the streets of downtown Silver Spring. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, stepping off from Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and moves south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue.
The parade will feature live performances by the Akhmedova Ballet Academy, Princess Mhoon Dance Institute and Maryland Youth Ballet. In addition to the excerpts of Tchaikowsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and Broadway-style numbers, there will be performances by 14 marching bands including those from colleges, local high schools, honor guard bands and internationally themed bands. Performances will take place at the intersection of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street.
Residents can enter a raffle to win tickets for their family to sit in the grandstand by visiting: https://thanksgivingparadegrandstand.eventbrite.com. Parade visitors can also enjoy holiday selfie taking and activities on Veterans Plaza before and immediately following the parade.
The parade begins with a harvest and Thanksgiving theme and ends with holiday music, a Hanukkah bear, reindeer, elves and Santa Claus. The emcees ABC7/WJLA meteorologist Brian Van De Graaff and ABC7/WJLA’s Julie Wright, from Good Morning Washington, and Let’s Talk Live.
The parade will be held rain or shine. For more information, call 240.777.0311 or visit the website.