Laytonsville loves its parade –

The annual Laytonsville Community Parade was held May 18 with a theme of “Hat’s Off.” Participants and spectators were encouraged to wear crazy hats, and the mayor and council members handed out pins to hat-wearers along the parade route, which traveled down Olney-Laytonsville Road.

“The parade was a spectacular event,” Mayor Jim Ruspi.

Ruspi, who has been spotted wearing a stovepipe hat in the past, joined in the fun. His hat “grew” to more than 2 feet tall.

Charlie Kearse, parade coordinator, said awards were presented to units that best represented the theme of the parade. Winners include: St. Bartholomew Church, Best in Show; Laytonsville Elementary School Fifth Grade Float, Best Kids Unit; Gaithersburg High School SADD and Paul Simonetti Insurance, Best Youth Group; and Hero Dogs, Best Adult Group.

“The town and Laytonsville Lions Club great appreciate the businesses, churches and citizens that support and make this parade possible,” Kearse said