The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will bring holiday cheer to downtown Silver Spring on Saturday, featuring marching bands, community floats, and local Olympians Thea LaFond and Aaron Ghebre Owusu.
ABC 7 meteorologist Eileen Whelan will kick off the region’s largest parade at 10 a.m. The parade route will start at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street, proceed south on Georgia Avenue, and conclude at Silver Spring Avenue.
Parade honoree and Silver Spring resident Thea LaFond won the Olympic gold medal in the women’s triple jump at the 2024 Summer Olympics with a second jump of 15.02 meters.
Ms. LaFond has strong local ties. She moved to Silver Spring at age seven, graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, and attended the University of Maryland, where she set a triple jump record at the 2013 NCAA Championships. In addition to her athletic career, LaFond worked as a teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools, teaching special education, math, and a life skills course called Life 101.
Quince Orchard graduate Aaron Ghebre Owusu competed in the men’s 50-meter freestyle at the Olympics, finishing ahead of 23 others with a time of 24.25 seconds. At just 17, he was one of only three Eritreans to qualify for a swimming event at the Games and was the 5th youngest among 74 competitors, according to MCM.
In addition to local Olympians, parade attendees can look forward to a festive lineup of over 150 units, community groups, marching bands, vibrant floats, mascots, and live performances by the Akhmedova Ballet Academy and Maryland Youth Ballet. The parade will feature stilt walkers, a giant T-Rex, an inflatable penguin, and holiday characters like performing dogs, Hanukkah bears, reindeer, and Santa Claus.
Dance and band performances will take place near the parade’s starting point.
“The Thanksgiving Parade is a Montgomery County tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the start of the holiday season with friends, family and neighbors,” County Executive Marc Elrich said in a press release. “This year, we are pleased to welcome local Olympians, talented performers and our dedicated community groups to make the day even more special. This parade highlights the diversity and vibrancy that we love about Montgomery County. It is always fun to see so many people out on the streets in Silver Spring.”
Parade organizers seek volunteers aged 13 and older to dress as costumed characters, including elves and ribbon twirlers. Volunteers must be available from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and should report to the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Place in downtown Silver Spring.
For volunteering details and registration, visit the Volunteer for the Parade website.
Additionally, Several roads will be closed on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. due to the parade, including:
- Georgia Avenue (North and Southbound) from East-West Highway to Colesville Road;
- Cedar Street between Colesville Road and Wayne Avenue;
- Pershing Drive from Cedar Street to Veterans Place;
- Veterans Place from Pershing Drive to Ellsworth Drive;
- Ellsworth Drive from Georgia Avenue to Cedar Street;
- Roeder Road from Fenton Street to Cedar Street;
- Fenton Street from Cameron Street to Wayne Avenue;
- Wayne Avenue from Georgia Avenue to Fenton Street; and
- Bonifant Street, Thayer Avenue, and Silver Spring Avenue from Georgia Avenue to Fenton Street.
Public parking is available at garages on Sligo Avenue, Cameron Street, and Bonifant Street, but the Ellsworth Town Center garage will close at 2 a.m. on Saturday.
Attendees are encouraged to take the Metro Red Line to the Silver Spring Station for easy access to the parade route.
“Montgomery County’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a great way to bring community members together to help kick off the start of the holiday season,” said Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson. “Thanksgiving reminds each of us to be grateful for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy as well as the responsibility we all share to give back and serve residents across our diverse community. The Council appreciates the hard work of the Montgomery County government employees and volunteers who help organize and run this family friendly event to help uplift our community each year.”
The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will be held rain or shine. For details, visit the official website or call (240) 777-0311.
Photo: “Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade 2010 (5211776169)” by S Pakhrin from DC, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.