MoCo Thanksgiving Parade Kicks Of Holiday Season On Saturday Morning

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Montgomery County will be kicking off the holiday season on Saturday with the annual Thanksgiving Parade.

This free event runs from 10 a.m.-12 noon, and will feature inflatable turkeys and penguins, marching bands, floats, and dancing groups. Santa Claus and his elves will also be making an appearance. This will also mark the first appearance of Mrs. Claus.

The parade kicks off, rain or shine, in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District at Ellsworth and Fenton Street at and will travel south on George Avenue to its ending point at Silver Spring Avenue.

Starting at the intersection for Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and continuing at places throughout the parade route, visitors will be able to enjoy live performances by cultural dancing groups, Akhmedova Ballet, and Maryland Youth Ballet, as well as college and high school marching bands.

“The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade kicks off the holiday season for many families,” said County Executive Marc Elrich, in a release. “It showcases the diverse cultures and performing talents of our residents and organizations, and brings together the community for a day of thankfulness and celebration. After the parade, we encourage everyone to visit our ice skating rink, shop locally in one of Silver Spring’s businesses or enjoy lunch at one of our many restaurants.”

The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade needs volunteers to be elves and pilgrims on floats, as well as reindeer and penguins in the parade. Volunteers are also needed to lead balloons. Volunteers 13 and older are needed to dress in costume and ride on floats. Volunteers must be available 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on parade day. More information on how to sign up to be a volunteer is available online.

A number of roads will be closed in the Silver Spring area on Saturday due to the parade. Public parking will be available in the Sligo Avenue, Cameron Street, and the Bonifant Street garages. Beginning at 2 a.m., the Ellsworth Town Center garage will be closed.

Rather than driving to the parade, spectators are encouraged to take the Metro Red Line to the Silver Spring station.

Police will be closing off the following streets from 6 a.m.-1 p.m., on Saturday, with parking restrictions starting at 2 a.m.:

• North and Southbound Georgia Avenue between East-West Highway and Colesville Road.
• Cedar Avenue between Colesville Road and Wayne Avenue.
• Pershing Drive from Cedar Avenue to Veterans Place.
• Veterans Place from Pershing to Ellsworth Drive.
• Ellsworth Drive from Georgia Avenue to Cedar avenues.
• Roeder Road from Fenton Street to Cedar Avenue.
• Fenton Street from Cameron Street to Wayne Avenue.
• Wayne Avenue from Georgia Avenue to Fenton Street.
• Bonifant Street from Georgia Avenue to Fenton Street.
• Thayer Avenue from Georgia Avenue to Fenton Street.
• Silver Spring Avenue from Georgia Avenue to Fenton Street.