The long-running parade will return to its original route on State Street
The 88th annual Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade will march down State Street for the first time in more than 20 years. The beloved parade, which began in 1933 as a way to promote the city's economic recovery after the Great Depression and World War II, will step off at noon Saturday with its signature giant balloons, marching bands and decorated floats. The event is televised live on WGN-TV from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., starting with news updates from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by segments about participating groups and sponsors, and then the main event from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., when it starts raining just before 12 pm EST
This year's parade will feature floats, balloons, and performances
Chicago's longest running parade, the 88th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade will march down State Street for the 88th time this year. The parade will feature floats, balloons and performances from different schools and organizations around Chicagoland as well as from Macy's Department Store. The parade will also feature a balloon in honor of the late Mayor Harold Washington. This year's grand marshal is actor and comedian Bill Murray who grew up in Evanston. It's great, said Murray of being chosen as the parade's honorary grand marshal. I always have an incredible time. He added that he would try not to make it difficult for himself by dressing up too much. I'll just put some clothing on and take my kids, he said with a laugh.
The parade will kick off at 8:30am on Thanksgiving Day
The 88th annual Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade will step off at 8:30am on Thursday morning, November 24, 2018 and will march down State Street for two hours.
The parade is one of the largest in the world. The parade has been a tradition since 1920. It includes a cavalcade of floats, performances by marching bands and dance troupes, clowns and other entertainers as well as balloons from around the world. It is estimated that 3 million people will line the streets of downtown Chicago to watch this spectacle and enjoy the spirit of the holidays.
More than 1 million people are expected to attend the parade
The 88th annual Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade will step off at noon and march down State Street for 12 blocks. The parade, which is now in its 88th year, is scheduled to be the longest ever, with more than 100 units. More than 1 million people are expected to attend the parade, according to organizers.
This year's parade features a number of new entries. This includes a float dedicated to The Wizard of Oz and another devoted entirely to Star Wars.
The parade will be broadcast live on NBC 5 Chicago
The annual parade, which will be broadcast live on NBC 5 Chicago, will feature about 12 marching bands and a variety of floats. The parade is sponsored by the Unity Council and the parade's theme is Unity and Community. Floats in the procession include one that honors veterans and another that celebrates family members who have been deployed overseas. The long-awaited celebration kicks off at 9 a.m.
which officially began in 1924 and was originally known as the Marshall Field Thanksgiving Day Parade, has become one of the most iconic holiday events in Chicago and the United States, often drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators from across the country who line the sidewalks of State Street to watch the procession of floats and marching bands as it winds its way through the streets of downtown Chicago.
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