Philadelphia thanksgiving day parade 2011 route

The entire parade route is open to the public, except for a small area of specially designated seating near the telecast. Even Santa will be at the parade! Photo courtesy of 6abc 'Dunkin Thanksgiving Day Parade. There's no cost to paradegoers, but finding a great location to take in all the action requires some work. The best seats are in the grandstands, but availability is extremely limited and mostly reserved for sponsors and VIPs. The whole procession can take 90 minutes to pass by, so positioning your camp near bathrooms or a porta-potty is a smart strategy.

In addition to the floats, balloons, and characters, the entertainment at the parade is top-notch. Just as in years past, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade promises celebrity performances as well as performances by local groups, special guests, and plenty of surprises.

Marching bands are always a favorite. When parking, metered spaces are free, but it's important to note that many streets in the area are closed to traffic entirely, with no parking in effect along the parade route starting Wednesday.

If you're looking for garage parking, be sure to reference the Philadelphia Parking Authority's Parking Locator for exact garage locations and hours. The best alternative is public transportation—SEPTA Regional Rail, bus, subway, and trolley routes are all within walking distance of the parade route. Get in the holiday spirit It's safe to say many of us can't imagine Thanksgiving without a parade. Since the first event was held in Philadelphia in , it's a tradition that kicks off the holiday season throughout the US.

Before the celebrations start this year, we've traveled through time to take a nostalgic look back at some of the biggest and oldest Thanksgiving parades in America. Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago, Illinois During the Great Depression, many leaders were searching for innovative ways to boost the economy and encourage spending.

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago, Illinois After the success of the first parade the city entered the biggest buying period since , its name was changed to State Street Christmas Parade in and it continued to grow in popularity, becoming one of the largest parades in the US. This snap from captures crowds cramming in on State Street, all eager to see the floats and balloons. Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago, Illinois Although the economy had improved greatly since the first few years of the parade, a big aspect of it continued to be encouraging people to splurge during the holiday season.

This float from promotes a Giant Gift Guide, coming soon after the parade. Slideshow continues on the next slide. Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago, Illinois The parade continued to be Christmas-themed up until , when its date was changed to Thanksgiving.

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago, Illinois An important aspect of the parade is the celebration of the many different cultures that converge in Chicago and in the US in general. America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade, Plymouth, Massachusetts This parade, held annually in Plymouth, started in and is held the weekend before Thanksgiving to celebrate Plymouth's Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving in America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade, Plymouth, Massachusetts Unlike other Thanksgiving Parades, where balloons, marching bands and floats feature popular characters, this one focuses on the history of the United States.

Each element of the parade is based on a historical period in the US, plus special floats mark events like the anniversary of D-Day and the Apollo 11 mission or honor industries important to the region, like the fishing and lobster trade. The parade ends with Santa Claus ringing in the holiday season pictured. Started by Charles Wendel, display director at Hudson Company department store, the parade stands out thanks to the Big Heads — giant masks that resemble walking bobbleheads. Here, the Big Head clowns are captured just before the parade in America's Thanksgiving Parade, Detroit, Michigan Alongside the Big Heads, the parade includes large balloons, marching bands, clowns and performers, as well as impressive and elaborate floats.

The parade wouldn't be right without Old Mother Goose — the oldest float which has been part of the parade since Back in the day, it was feet 5. Today, the much-loved character has grown in size to an impressive length of 30 feet 9m and is self-propelled. Every year the masks depict everything from funny animals and cultural references to important figures in American history and famous natives of the Wolverine State. Ellis Gimbel, one of the founders of Gimbels department stores, sent more than 50 employees dressed in costumes out to parade down the streets of Philadelphia in a bid to attract holiday shoppers.

This shot from captures some of the slightly terrifying costumes choices in the pre-balloon era. Up until the parade ended with Santa Claus arriving at Gimbels and ascending all the way to the eighth-floor toy department, known as Toyland, via a ladder from a Philadelphia Fire Department truck pictured. Drive closed for street rehearsals. Roads will be blocked leading up to the parade route in Center City, though drivers may get chances to cross during breaks in the action.

To avoid the area entirely you may want to stick to the Schuylkill Interstate 76 and Vine Street Interstate expressways and exit away from the Art Museum area. Vehicles parked in posted areas will be relocated. The transit agency will begin detouring its routes 31, 33, 38, 44, 49, , and MFO buses starting at 6 p.

Then, on Thanksgiving from 3 a. Bundle up for the parade. Temps will be in the upper 40s, but will feel chillier due to strong winds gusting at 30 to 40 mph expected during the morning.

A Wind Advisory is also in effect until 6 p. A cup of hot apple cider and a knit cap in the shape of a turkey could be warranted. Variable factors, including the wind, could put the use of floating balloon characters in question.