Snow Flurries Were A Bonus For The Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Snow flurries fell in downtown Philadelphia during the city's 91st annual Thanksgiving parade, billed as the oldest in the nation. The first parade took place on November 25, 1920.

For many folks the city's Thanksgiving Day parade is what makes Philadelphia unique, "This is just tradition and this is what the city is about everyone getting out and being together having a good time."

And there was plenty for all to see, "All the bands from all around the country and all the balloons."

While the parade is a long-running tradition for many people, there are also some who did come to experience it for the first time, "You have to do it. Do it at least once. You have to come down and enjoy the city of Philadelphia and the Thanksgiving Day Parade."

Gimbel Brother Department Store President, Ellis Gimbel created the parade for the children of Philadelphia.

The parade was known as the Gimbel's Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1920 - 1985.

The parade has signified the official arrival of the holiday season in the city of Brotherly Love.

Special guests in this year's 2010 parade included:

Brandy from Dancing with the Stars, Sam Champion of Good Morning America, American Idol finalists Siobhan Magnus and Justin Guarini, Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron, The Eagles Cheerleaders, characters from Walt Disney and Sesame Place, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and many more.

Reported by Hadas Kuznits, KYW Newsradio, Stasia DeMarco, CBSPhilly.com