Photo essay: 42nd annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend Special

Alexandria - Every year The Campagna Center hosts its Scottish Christmas Walk in Alexandria, Va. Now in its 42nd year, the popular annual event took place on Sat., Dec. 1 and drew a large crowd.

The annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, hosted by The Campagna Center in partnership with the Scottish Government, is an annual event. This year the tradition kicked off on Friday, Nov. 30, culminating in Saturday's parade and other festivities that took place at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. On Saturday, the Scottish Christmas Walk parade commenced at 11 a.m. Hours before the start of the walk, people began to arrive in Old Town Alexandria in anticipation of the parade, some setting up chairs and blankets. By 10:30 a.m., the streets were lined with people.

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Crowd lined up along Saint Asaph Street waiting for the parade in Old Town Alexandria

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The parade lasted for well over an hour as over 130 participants marched through the beautiful and picturesque Old Town Alexandria. What started off as a chilly and foggy morning turned into a beautiful day by the time the parade concluded.

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Every year The Campagna Center hosts the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend; this year was in partnership with The Scottish Government.

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Kiltie Band of York members play in the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend parade.

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Officers from the City of Alexandria, Va. walk in the parade

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Image taken at the parade during the 42nd annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend

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Numerous clans were represented in the parade; here is the Fraser Clan marching on Dec. 1, 2012

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The crowd was surprised to see Nessie had traveled a long way to participate in the parade.

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Family watching the annual Scottish Christmas Walk parade in Alexandria

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The Scottish Christmas Walk is a long-standing tradition in Alexandria, Va.

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A group of young rugby athletes played their way through the parade.

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A group of bagpipe players prepare to play their next song

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Annual parade during the Scottish Christmas Walk weekend

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Man, woman and furry companion march forward down Saint Asaph Street

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Many different varieties of dogs were well represented in the parade. Here are a few all dressed up and ready to go.

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A classic Pontiac car drives down Saint Asaph Street.

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Marchers in the 42nd Annual Scottish Christmas Walk

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Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the end of the parade in style.

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Santa appeared in the parade's finale. Mrs. Claus was in a separate car to the left

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The Campagna Center notes this event draws 30,000 individuals and families. Noted as the organization's largest fundraising event, the proceeds from Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend go to help local organizations including Alexandria Head Start, Early Head Start, Campagna Early Learning Center, Afternoon Kids, Building Better Futures, Campagna Kids and New Neighbors. These programs serve over 1,700 children and families daily.