Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade 2019 In Pictures

SILVER SPRING, MD — Downtown Silver Spring was bursting with holiday spirit as spectators across the D.C. metro area gathered to celebrate the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade on Saturday.

This year's celebration featured dozens of high school and college marching bands, Thanksgiving and Christmas floats, performing dogs, and more.

As the only Thanksgiving parade in the D.C. metro area, spectators say the parade creates a sense of community.

"I live in a very small town — Takoma Park — and we have lots of small community events," Ivan Kuskevics said. I like the fact that (the Thanksgiving parade) is a little bit larger — and that you can see an even stronger and larger community. I find that kind of encouraging...it's not just a block party and you get a bigger picture (of who lives in the area)."

For many residents, attending the Thanksgiving parade is a family tradition.

"It's a tradition," said Washington, D.C. resident Cornelia Stark, with her two children in tow. "We come here every year."

This year was extra special for her youngest son, Emmanuel. The five-year-old loves sharks.

And when Emmanuel saw a man sporting a shark onesie in the parade (who was possibly paying tribute to the Washington Nationals and their fascination with "Baby Shark"), Emmanuel ran through the crowd to give him a hug.

Saturday's parade started at 10 a.m. and ended just before 12:30 p.m. The parade route started at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and proceeded south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue.

Check out pictures of the Thanksgiving parade below: