Thanksgiving is a day when family’s all across the country get together and give thanks for God’s blessings and the divine providence that has made America the greatest country in the whole world.
But in some places, the celebrations are HUGE affairs — blowout parades that take millions of dollars and thousands of dollars. And some do it just a little better than others.
Here are The Horn News’ five favorite Thanksgiving Day celebration across the country —
1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
2016 marks the 90th anniversary of the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.
It begins at 9 a.m. EST on Thanksgiving Day, and wraps up around noon. Expected performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Daya, The Muppets, America’s Got Talent winner Grace Vanderwaal, Regina Spektor and Sarah McLachlan.
The parade will feature all of the beloved balloons, like Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Paddington Bear, along with some new additions. This year will feature the DreamWorks Trolls, a new version of Charlie Brown, Trixie the Dog and Felix the Cat.
If you can’t make it New York, you can watch the spectacular parade on NBC. It will feature 12 marching bands, more than a dozen balloons, almost 30 floats, 1,500 dancers and 8,000 participants overall.
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2. Dunkin Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade
This parade in Philadelphia begins at 8:30 EST and is America’s original Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In its 97th year, the parade will feature an array of floats including a pirate ship, a special tribute to liberty, Tweety Bird, Olivia the pig, the Tazmanian Devil, Curious George and more! This year’s featured musical guests are Drew Lachey from 98 Degrees and R&B singer Estelle.
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3. McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade
Taking place in Chicago, McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at 8 a.m. CST. It originated in 1934 to lift the spirits of Chicago residents struggling through the Great Depression.
Now 82 years later, the parade has grown into a spectacular celebration of everything we have to be thankful for. There are a number of honored guests at the parade. Matt Walsh from HBO’s “Veep,” will act as the grand marshal, with performance from country music star Craig Campbell, America’s Got Talent’s Laura Bretan and Musicality.
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4. America’s Thanksgiving Parade
Taking place in Detroit, this parade is also celebrating its 90th birthday, and will begin at 8:50 a.m. CST. This year’s grand marshals are Federal Judge Damon Keith and comedian Keegan-Michael Key.
Other celebrity appearances include women’s US soccer stars Ali Krieger and Crystal Dunn, former Detroit Tiger Willie Horton, Run-D.M.C founder Darryl McDaniels and of course, Santa Claus! The incredible parade lasts for two hours and is a free event, with the exception of Grand Stand seats available starting at $35.
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5. H-E-B Holiday Parade
This annual parade in Houston is in its 67th year and takes place at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning and draws about a 400,000 spectator crowd.
This year’s grand marshals are Olympic gold medal winning athletes Simone Biles and Simone Manuel. The parade consists of marching bands, cheerleaders, floats and even acrobats all processing through downtown Houston. It will be broadcast live throughout the Houston area.
Did we miss your favorite celebration? Let us know, comment below!
Happy Thanksgiving from The Horn News!
The largest thanksgiving parade is , when obuma an hitlery move out of America . We can’t wait . Other wise happy thanksgivibg to all .
RUDE, THEY ARE OUT, LET IT REST. PEOPLE, LET’S TRY TO ACT LIKE GRATEFUL PEOPLE ON THIS HOLIDAY WITHOUT ALL THE BASHING. THIS IS REALLY GETTING OLD. WE ARE BLESSED TO BE IN A FANTASTIC COUNTRY THAT IS ALREADY GREAT ……………
I agree with you Sharon.
Totally agree Sharon! I’ll be glad when we have an American as president again!
Note to the Editors:
First sentence – amend “family’s” to “families” and, if we are invoking the Deity, let’s make it “Divine” with a capital “d”. Not sure about “providence” – should it be with or without a capital “P”?
Same sentence “has made America the greatest country in the whole world”. Americans do not question this. Other countries’ citizens could, or even would.
Next sentence: “blowout parades that take millions of dollars and thousands of dollars” – is this a Freudian slip, or is there an obsession with money?
Finally – a sincere Happy Thanksgiving Day to all Americans everywhere … and a quiz question:
Q. Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday in November. Canadians celebrate it on the 2nd Monday in October. When do the British celebrate it?
A. July 4. [Think about it]
I am not sure if the British elebtate Thanksgiving and if they do it is not for the same reason that we hAve it as a national holiday. Actually I give thanks every day. But the holiday was started because of the Pilgrims and the blessing of survival and the friendship of the American Indians
Plural of “family” is “families”
Our FAVORITE THANKSGIVING DAY CELEBRATION is to enjoy a good meal and the company of our Family while we give Thanks to our Savior for our health and our happy family.
Macy’s Parade gets our vote.
Macy’s has always been the favorite. We are thankful Trump is our president and will always be abe to celebrate Christmas and see the lighting of the traditional Whitehouse tree on the lawn. Happy Thansgiving to all.
Everything I post comes back as I already said that when it isn’t true. If you do not want me to post remove my name
macy’s the best
We second Sharon’s wish. American loyalists ought to have a national celebration when LIAR OBUMa leaves…
Should have not allowed him to be re elected…
The San Antonio River Walk tomorrow night is Spectacular! A lighting of the Christmas, and hundreds of beautiful floats lit to the sky and back. Draws thousand of Thanksgiving tourist into our city. It is televised on ABC. Starting at 6:00 p.m. Tomorrow night.
Happy and a Blessed Thanksgiving to ALL. Thanks to Donald J. Trump, we will have the best holiday in history. God bless the U.S. of America
Fountain Hills AZ has the only Thanksgiving Day Parade west of the Mississippi. We are celebrating our 35th annual today. We also were honored to host President Elect Donald Trump this past spring and help him win the presidency.
What does awaiting moderation mean?
Dunkin Donuts is the best thanksgiving Day parade,the best i say the best….
It’s so interesting to find out that there are 5 famous Thanksgiving Day Celebrations! Thanks for showing and telling about them. Sincerely,Holly Nicholson
Nice artible about unknown location. I finally planning my travel (to France) and provided material could be very helpful. Cheers.
I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all our Service members of all branches ,home or away, keeping us safe and to the families of those fine men and women especially the families of those away . Having been in your shoes before I wish you peace of mind and strength and faith, stand strong and thank you.
Thanks for putting a positive aspect of America first in the news. More of this aspect of the people’s constructive and generous social activity is of great morale value.
Cooking for my friends who are Deputies. Keeping them safe as possible. I am Blessed everyday. Trump and making our country great and safe. God Bless everyone for our Thanksgiving Day. American way of life
Why don’t i ever see any of my posts
I watched Macy’s parade. Too many ads, to much talk between the hosts and too many celebraties. Didn’t feel like I saw much of the parade.
I consider it my patriotic duty to watch ‘Miracle on 34th Street’–THE ORIGINAL ONE–every Thanksgiving. And this year, thanks to President Trump, we Americans really, really, really have something to be thankful for.
McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade… What was the name of this parade in Chicago in 1934 since McDonald’s was not around in 1934??