ATLANTA, Ga. - Thousands are expected to line the streets in midtown Saturday for the 33rd annual Children's Heathcare of Atlanta Christmas parade.

Channel 2 partners with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the nation’s top ranked pediatric hospitals. Proceeds from this year’s parade will expand an important simulation lab for nurses at Children’s. The lab provides the place nurses can practice the skills necessary to deliver safe care to their patients.

This year’s parade will feature award-winning marching bands, floats, exciting dance performances, giant helium balloons, clowns and, of course, Santa.  Marching bands from the following local schools will liven up the street: North Paulding High School, Georgia State University, Pope High School and Heritage High School bands.

New this year, the parade starts at Peachtree and 16th streets in Midtown and ends at Peachtree and 5th streets.

Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach shot video early Saturday morning about four blocks south near 12th and 11th streets, where crews were putting up balloons and other arrangements. Gehlbach also watched crews setting up for the live broadcast later on WSB-TV Channel 2.

The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas parade is expected to end around noon.

The new parade route in midtown is to make way for construction of the new Atlanta Streetcar project.

Parade spectators are encouraged to take MARTA.