Thanksgiving Day - Part One

Thanksgiving Day would not be complete with a parade or two, and living here in Center City Philadelphia put me a mere four blocks away from one of the largest parades around. While it was not quite on the level of the Macy's parade in New York City, it did feature celebrities of a sort, huge flying balloons, marching bands from eleven states, majorettes and twirlers, floats, Santa Claus, and a large measure of good old-fashioned family fun!

A Philadelphia parade has to include at least one group of Mummers - This one is The Cahill Fancy Dress Brigade

Hello Kitty was one of the first big balloons to appear above the Parkway crowd.

Remember this guy? Local boy Justin Guarini from the first season of American Idol.

Where is Tipp City, Ohio? Loved the name of this high school...

and the Tippecanoe Twirlers!

Proud of the State of Texas - The Majorettes from Trinity Valley Community College.

A rather strange float featuring the Von Trapp Family Singers - Great Grandchildren of Maria and Captain Von Trapp.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Mrs. Claus wowing the crowd.


This family of Italian visitors were loving every minute of the all-American spectacle they happened upon on their way to the museums.

I walked down to the Ben Franklin Parkway at around 8:45, visited the Campbell's Soup/Ikea hospitality tent for some freebies, then staked out my spot rather close to the end of the parade route. It was more than a bit chilly, but the sun broke through the clouds shortly after the parade started, and that provided just the right touch of warmth. After almost three hours, I decided to abandon that spot, walk to Logan Square for a preview of Old Saint Nick before heading home to wake Dale so we could get on the road for Part Two of our day.

The parade lived up to my expectations, and I felt like a kid again :-)!