It was difficult to find an empty seat at the Wheaton and Kensington Chamber of Commerce's 28th Annual Community Awards Banquet at Hollywood East on Wednesday night. 

On each table perched a tall glass vase with a flower arrangement from Brookside Gardens, which received special recognition and the 2012 Tribute Award.

The mood was exultant, as speakers proclaimed that "Wheaton is on the move" and that Wheaton is no longer "the little stepchild" in Montgomery County.

To see more photos from the banquet, visit an online gallery by Colella Digital.

The chamber honored teachers and students from Einstein, Kennedy and Wheaton high schools. Montgomery Housing Partnership received the award for the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Civic Association of the Year. Susan Johnson, president of the Layhill South Civic Association, was named MCCAB's Citizen of the Year. The award for Non-Profit of the Year went to Meals on Wheels in Wheaton.

For a full list of the awards presented, see Patch's preview of the banquet.

If you snapped any photos at the event, please feel free to upload them to our photo gallery.