Schedule For Today's Holiday Parade at Reston Town Center

Here's the full schedule:

8 a.m.: Reston Town Center retailers and Ice Skating Pavilion open early 

8 a.m.:Gingerbread Man Mile – Fun-run and races for kids, toddler through high school age, to benefit the charity, Neediest Kids. Free to participate. Registration and information:www.prraces.com.

11 a.m.: 23rd Annual Reston Holiday Parade “Destination: Reston!”

12:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Visits and Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Any donation for a 5 x 7” photo will benefit South Lakes High School Choir.

12:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Train Rides. All aboard! A mini-train will offer rides on Market Street. Any donation benefits Volunteer Fairfax. Departure point is in front of Talbots.

5 p.m.: Santa’s Frosty Follies. Performance of music and dance on Market Street, in front of the Christmas Tree.

6 p.m.: Tree Lighting and Sing Along. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to magically light up the huge Christmas tree in Fountain Square, followed by traditional holiday songs led by The Reston Chorale and brass quintet.

6:30 – 10 p.m.: Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax. Pick-up location is in front of Talbots on Market Street. $5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult.

Thousands of people will be coming out of their turkey comas Friday, Nov. 29 and making their way to the 23rd annual.

The parade will feature Macy’s-style balloons, musicians, dancers, antique cars, and more, and will also welcome the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. 

The Reston Holiday Parade attracts approximately 10,000 spectators from near and far to see at least sixty groups, amounting to more than 500 participants in the procession. 

The Grand Marshal for 2013 is Joe Ritchey, who was selected for his many levels of long term dedication to the Reston community. 

Ritchey has represented the community since 1990 in commercial real estate. His support has contributed to the success of non-profit organizations spanning a gamut of visual arts, performing arts, history, nature, leadership, education, business, transportation and more.

Among his many awards, Joe is a Best of Reston honoree (2003), was named Citizen of the Year by Times Community Newspapers (2006), and was the first recipient of the Robert E. Simon Community Service Award (2009).

This year, a Junior Grand Marshal will also lead the parade, honoring Lauren Spar of Langston Hughes Middle School. 

Spar is an 8th grade student at Langston Hughes Middle School. In her two years at the school she has run her own service club, SPAR (Service Projects Around Reston). 

She and the members of her club have worked with seniors at the Heritage House, tutored kindergartners at Terraset Elementary School and produced fun treats for needy members of our community. 

Absent from this year's event will be Reston founder Robert Simon, who will be on a trip to India. 

Prior to the 11:00 a.m. start, thousands of commemorative Reston Town Center jingle bells will be handed out to children along the route as they wait for the parade to begin.   

See all schedules and more details at www.restontowncenter.com.

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