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for grandparents & those who love them

pARADES

The Best Thanksgiving Day Parade


Everyone loves a parade, especially those adorable grandkids, and nothing beats the Thanksgiving Day Parades.
Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nov 26, 2015

Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA 70112

Part of the Bayou Classic, it is a traditional Thanksgiving Day Parade from the Superdome to the French Market. he Bayou Classic is more than a football game. This annual event is one of the country’s greatest college sports rivalries, bringing the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans each November. A week of events featuring a parade, fan festival and battle of the bands culminates with Saturday’s Bayou Classic football match-up.
40,000+ Attendees

Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Parade of the Hills

Nov 26, 2015

Downtown Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

Enjoy a fun Thanksgiving Day parade that includes bands, floats and marching units. The parade starts at 9am and last approximately 2 hours. A lot of the local businesses participate as well as VFW, classic cars clubs, Girl Scout troops, school groups and many others. With a few dozen floats, marching bands, dance routines, motorcycle shows, and Santa, it is sure to entertain.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nov 26, 2015

State Street Chicago, IL 60601

Since 1934, State Street comes to life on Thanksgiving morning when the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade® marches into downtown Chicago. Start your holiday tradition by watching all the action live on the street and be blown away by performances from some of Chicago’s favorite theater troupes, bands, horses, and giant balloons. Maybe catch a glimpse of one of your favorite celebrities including Ronald McDonald®, Santa and more! The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade brings the holidays to your family for free.
420,000 Attendees

America’s Thanksgiving Parade

Nov 26, 2015

Downtown Detroit, MI 48211

Since 1927, start by watching or running the annual Turkey Trot 10k on the parade route. This parade kicks off the holiday season with nearly 100 marching units, floats, bands, equestrian units, balloons and other entertainers from across North America. Onlookers anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus.
1,400,000 Attendees

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nov 26, 2015

New York City New York, NY 10028

Since 1924. The parade is a national tradition. Floats, bands, stage shows, bands and giant balloons. If you live in the region, and have never been to the parade, come for the time of your life. The parade ends in front of Macy’s Department Store.
2,000,000 Attendees

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nov 26, 2015

Downtown Parkway Area Philadelphia, PA 19121

The oldest parade of its kind celebrates the beginning of the holiday season with elaborate floats, toe-tapping music and the arrival of Santa Claus. The parade features the largest number of helium balloons in the country and Marching bands are encouraged to participate in the parade.
500,000 Attendees

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nov 26, 2015

Minute Maid Park Houston, TX 77002

Since 1949, a holiday tradition and perennial favorite that includes floats, balloons, marching units and more. Topped off by the always highly anticipated arrival of Santa. Thousands of participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators. The parade will begin at 9:00 am on Smith at Lamar, north to Walker, east to Milam, south to Pease, west to Louisiana, north to Clay, west to Smith, and north to end at Smith and Dallas.
200,000 Attendees

Thanksgiving Parade and Festival

Nov 26, 2015

Downtown Charlotte Charlotte, NC 28234

Since 1947, this is one of North Carolina’s oldest traditions featuring great entertainment from regional high school bands, clowns, floats, novelty units and much more.
150,000 Attendees

Las Palmas Del Sol Sun Bowl Parade

Nov 26, 2015

Downtown El Paso, TX 79902

Since 1937. 100 units including floats, giant helium balloons, equestrian units, clowns, marching bands, drum and bugle corps units from Mexico, royalty, dignitaries, celebrity Grand Marshal, and a wide variety of specialty units from Mexican / Indian dancers to military ceremonial units. The El Paso Downtown Lions Club organized the Parade in 1935. The parade was held on New Year’s Day from 1936 until 1978 when the event was rescheduled for Thanksgiving Day. The holiday pageant is planned, coordinated and produced by volunteer efforts and draws an annual crowd of over 250,000 spectators. The Sun Bowl Parade is the largest community event in the west Texas, New Mexico and Mexico area and brings together service clubs and civic organizations as well as all sectors of business and industries within the community.
250,000 Attendees

Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com
or visit her website at EventCrazy.com
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Christine Crosby

About the author

Christine is the co-founder and editorial director for GRAND Magazine. She is the grandmother of five and great-grandmom (aka Grandmere) to one. She makes her home in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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