WASHINGTON — Families flocked to Reston Town Center in Fairfax County, Virginia, Friday morning, but many weren’t there to hunt for bargains. They arrived for the annual holiday parade, featuring local marching bands, school ROTC units and community organizations.
Miquel, a mom from Falls Church, parked a folding chair behind the crowd, which was lined eight-deep at one of the corners of the Town Center. She said her two kids were trying to get a better view with their dad, and she was perfectly content to sit back and listen to the bands as they passed by.
When asked whether the family would also try to do some bargain-hunting in the shopping district, she laughed.
“No,” she said. “That’s crazy! Thanksgiving is about family, and so that’s what we’re doing — family stuff.”
As ROTC units practiced their marching, and a step team went through their routine, a group of tutu-clad ballerinas broke formation from their parade unit and clustered around something on the ground — K.C., a 7-year-old “release dog” from Canine Companions for Independence.
His handler, Barbara Hoopes, explained K.C. won’t be a service dog — he didn’t make the cut — but he makes a great ambassador, which was evident by the way he sprawled on the ground getting belly rubs from adoring children.
Rachel Saenz, 9, of Falls Church, stood patiently as her costume got some last-minute adjustments. She was with the group Tinkus San Simon, a Bolivian dance troupe from Virginia.
Just a few feet away, Star Wars Storm Troopers loomed. They were part of Garrison Tyranus, a local costume troupe that consists of “a bunch of nerds who really love Star Wars,” according to their website.
Member Jason Stanley said it’s a thrill to be able to see how excited kids — and kids at heart — get when they see the costumed members at parades like the one at Reston Town Center. “We’re very fortunate that we get to be living action figures,” he said.
The parade is an annual event that winds through the streets at Reston Town Center the day after Thanksgiving.
