The annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will return to downtown Silver Spring on Saturday, November 21, beginning at 10 am, featuring marching bands, floats, cultural performances and holiday characters.
The parade will begin at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street before traveling south along Georgia Avenue and 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.
Several Montgomery County high school marching bands will perform, including groups from Blake, Springbrook, Northwood, Clarksburg and John F. Kennedy high schools. The parade will also feature cultural dance groups and performances by Akhmedova Ballet and Maryland Youth Ballet.
The procession will include giant inflatable turkeys, holiday-themed floats, Hanukkah characters, reindeer, elves and Santa Claus. ABC7 personalities Brian van de Graaff and Roxanne Strouk will serve as emcees.
The parade will take place rain or shine. Spectators can watch along Georgia Avenue, with featured performances near the grandstand at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street.
Road closures will be in effect from 6 am until approximately 1 pm, including both directions of Georgia Avenue between East-West Highway and Colesville Road. Public parking will be available in several downtown garages, and attendees are encouraged to use the Metro Red Line.
Volunteers ages 13 and older can also participate, with Student Service Learning (SSL) hours available for eligible students. Additional information about the parade, volunteer opportunities, parking and road closures is available at SilverSpringDowntown.com.
