Reston Town Center presents the 24th annual Reston Holiday Parade, the highlight of a day filled with fun for the whole family, Friday, Nov. 28. Stepping off at 11 a.m. the one-of-a-kind, one-hour parade along Market Street will launch the festive season along with many more activities and entertainment. Since 1991 the Reston Holiday Parade has been an annual tradition on the day after Thanksgiving, rain or shine, at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston. More information and the full day’s schedule are available at www.restontowncenter.com/holidays. General information for Reston Town Center is available by calling 703-579-6720.

The Reston Holiday Parade features Macy’s-style balloons, musicians, dancers, antique cars, characters, community groups, dignitaries, Washington Nationals Racing Presidents, special guest emcees, and much more, as well as the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. Celebrating “Home for the Holidays” this year, the parade will have an Americana theme, offering a big welcome to members of the military and their families. Before the 11 a.m. parade starts, thousands of American flags and jingle bells will be handed out to spectators lining the route.

Grand Marshals for this year’s Reston Holiday Parade were selected as an extra welcome and honor for members of the military:

*Grand Marshal – The Cowart Family. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Kris Cowart, his wife Nicole, and daughter Lizzie are from Baton Rouge, La. and reside in Springfield, Va. as Colonel Cowart serves in Washington, DC.

*Junior Grand Marshal – Nathan Rulona. South Lakes High School student, Rulona is the Battalion Commander of the JROTC program, leading 151 students while maintaining a GPA of over 4.0 in the IB diploma program.

The Reston Holiday Parade attracts approximately 10,000 spectators from near and far to see at least sixty (60) groups, amounting to more than 500 participants in the procession. Special guest emcees, Angie Goff and Doug Kammerer of NBC4 Washington, will announce the parade from two VIP grandstand locations on Market Street. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will stay for visits and photos until 4:30 p.m. and will return to light up the huge Christmas tree at 6 p.m. The tree lighting attracts a gathering of approximately 5,000 people to Fountain Square for a half-hour Sing Along of traditional Christmas songs. Horse-drawn carriage rides begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Reston Holiday Parade is also supported by balloon sponsors, Reston Community Center, Reston Town Center Association, and The Wise Investor Group.

Hundreds of volunteers assist in making this community event a success. Those who wish to sign up to help with the parade can find the tasks and registration form at RestonTownCenter.com/holidays. For other inquiries, email rtc@myerspr.com.