Photo Gallery: Hometown Holiday Celebration

Downtown Pleasanton was filled with the holiday spirit Saturday night for the annual parade and tree lighting ceremony.

Local veterans kicked off the parade at 5 p.m. followed by the Foothill High School Marching Band.

A number of girl scouts, boy scouts and school groups participated, as well as the Amador Valley High School Marching Band.

Some of the parade highlights include the always entertaining Balloon Platoon shaking their stuff. Local politicians, including Pleasanton's city councilmembers, the office of Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty and newly re-elected Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) were on hand to wave to the spectators.

The parade ended with Santa Claus saying hello to all the good girls and boys of Pleasanton.

To start off the tree lighting ceremony, local group the Pleasantones got the audience to singing to Christmas classics such as Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells.

With the help of Santa Claus, Mayor Jennifer Hosterman and the rest of the city council lit up a large holiday tree in front of .