Arts & Entertainment
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Named One Of Best In Country
McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade has been named one of the top ten parades in the U.S. by a recent report.
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago's McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade made it onto USA Today's top ten holiday parades list this year. The Chicago event squared off against fierce competitors like Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and the Hollywood Christmas Parade.The McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade returned to Chicago for its 84th year Nov. 23.
The event was originally created to help raise residents' spirits during the Great Depression. The parade includes giant inflatable balloons, the nation's best marching bands, equestrian units, the Harlem Globetrotters, Santa and more than 100 culturally diverse units.
The parade runs for a mile down State Street, from Congress to Randolph, and includes 16 stage performances, 18 marching bands and 36 specialty units.
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The top 10 winners in the USA Today Best Holiday Parade are:
- Mummers Parade - Philadelphia
- America's Thanksgiving Parade - Detroit
- Mayor's Annual Christmas Parade - Boston
- Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade - Annapolis, Md.
- Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade - Charlotte
- Reston Holiday Parade - Reston, Va.
- Christmas Ship Parade - Portland, Ore.
- Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights - Alexandria, Va.
- Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade - Fort Lauderdale
- McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade - Chicago
Photo courtesy of Chicago Festival Association
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