The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Honor Guard kicked off the Winterfest Parade in McLean. Photo by Steve Hibbard.
With mild weather that turned out to be good, some 54 entries marched in the 10th annual Winterfest Parade on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in front of the Langley Shopping Center on Old Chain Bridge Road, starting from Fleetwood Road and going to Elm Street in McLean.
The pre-parade show was emceed by Paul Kohlenberger and included performances by the Kent Gardens Elementary Chorus, the Choral Ensemble from Spring Hill Elementary School, the T.E.A. Center Dancers of McLean, and the band “Vengeance in Red” from Bach to Rock Music School. WUSA-TV9 Journalist Peggy Fox emceed the parade, which included the McLean High School Marching Band, the Army Fife and Drum Corps, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, and lots of Boys and Girl Scouts, Brownies, and Cub Scouts, fire engines and police cruisers, and, of course, Santa. Local elected officials who rode in the parade included: State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31), Del. Rip Sullivan (D-48), Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34), Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville), and School Board Member Jane Strauss (Dranesville).
According to Trish Butler, Chairman of the Winterfest Steering Committee: “I think this has been an amazing experience for everyone involved. We get praises from all parts of the community about pulling everyone together to open up the holiday season this way.”