Photo Gallery: Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade 2011

Main Street in 's downtown business district was the site Saturday afternoon of one of the most beloved events in town.

Returning for a 61st year, the Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade kicked off at 1 p.m. at Mitchell Avenue and Main Street, featuring the equipment of local emergency responders, businesses, floats from service organizations, performances from local middle school bands and the award-winning Marching Knights, and plenty of familiar faces from the neighborhood.

This year's theme was "Holiday Sing-A-Long."

Residents and out-of-towners lined the sidewalks of Main Street in their typical bundled-up glory as they feasted their eyes on the people and vehicles parading down the street.

There was, of course, some candy too.

And at the very end, Santa Claus himself, escorted this year by Upper Gwynedd Fire Department.

Check out our huge photo gallery of the parade and the Lansdale Business Association's Pre-Parade Pancake Pandemonium.