Wearing t-shirts and shorts, a crowd of thousands turned out for the City of Alexandria’s George Washington Birthday Parade, which made its return after a two-year absence due to extreme weather conditions.

“It was all about the weather,” said parade organizer Joe Shumard. “We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.”

Gen. George Washington, as portrayed by parade newcomer Brian Hilton, surveyed the troops and Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck made an appearance as Abe Lincoln.

“All the bad weather of the past has been forgotten,” Shumard said. “It was the perfect day for a parade.”