Marching bands, colorful floats, a cast of costumed characters, huge balloons, amazing entertainers and Santa Claus traveled down Fifth Avenue Saturday morning as Macy’s and WPXI-TV presented the 29th annual holiday classic, Celebrate the Season Parade.

Music superstars The Legendary Drifters kicked off the parade singing their hit, "On Broadway."

"Seeing the joy we bring to all the children, and our older fans as well, is the best part. You know, this music will never die. It really makes me feel good," The Drifters said.

VIDEO: Inside Look At 2009 Parade

Joe Mascolo, better known as Stefano DiMera of "Days of Our Lives," was another crowd pleaser this year. He told WPXI.com that this wasn't his first time in town.

"I've worked at several of the theaters here. So I've stayed here two, three weeks at a time. And I have friends here. So Pittsburgh is really a warm spot in my heart. And the Steelers are doing pretty good, although they're in some trouble right now," Joe said.

Joe was impressed with the number of people who lined the parade route. He said his fans mean everything to him.

"Without them, we've nothing. That's my basic thing. So I'm very, very happy to see them. It was such a wonderful turnout," he said.

David Johnson and Peggy Finnegan hosted the parade for the 19th time and said they enjoyed every minute of it.

"I really feel, for me at least, that it kicks off the Christmas season. That's when it all begins, with this parade," Peggy said.

Also appearing in the parade were local recording stars B.E. Taylor, Mark Milovats and The Softwinds, the Last American Cowboy, World Champion jump roper Tori Boggs and the incredibly popular Amazing Christopher and his dancing dummies.

Huge balloon characters including Elmo, Bob The Builder, Hello Kitty and Garfield even made their way down Fifth Avenue.

PARADE BROADCAST, REPLAYS

If you didn't make it downtown, the parade will air live on WPXI-TV on Nov. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m.

The other replays are as follows:

WPXI-TV
12/13 from noon-2 p.m.
12/24 overnight from 1-3 a.m.

PCNC
11/28 from 8-10 p.m.
12/25 from 7-9 a.m.

RTV
12/7 from 8-10 p.m.

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RELATED

Celebrate The Season Parade Highlight Video
Story, Video, Pictures From 2008 Parade
Brunch After 2007 Celebrate The Season Parade
2007 Celebrate The Season Parade Pictures
2006 Celebrate The Season Parade, Brunch
2006 Celebrate The Season Parade Pictures

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