Thousands Enjoy 93rd Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It's a Thanksgiving Day tradition that's been going strong for 93 years here in Philadelphia. The annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Thousands of families lined the parade route, from its start at 19th and JFK Blvd, all the way down to 16th Street, north to the Parkway and up to the Art Museum and Eakins Oval.
"I haven't been here since I was eight years old and I've only been here once, but I love parades," says Chris Toner.
Decades later Chris is a retired grandmother and decided to come back to where her love of parades began.
PHOTOS: Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
"My girls are going to all cook dinner. So I'm here at the parade. It's on my bucket list so I am here with my family."
Chris' grandkids Sophia, Hugh and Pheona are enjoying their first time at the parade.
"I actually love everything!"
"I love the Marching bands!"
"The Clifford."
10,000 volunteers spent the day making sure the parade carried on without a hitch. Seven year veteran Bill of Lafayette Hill was one of 40 volunteers who helped Sid the Science Kid float down the parkway.
"It started out when my daughter was two years old. She liked it; she was very excited about Santa Clause coming to town," says Bill.
Forty-five years later Andy Curry and his family still set up shop at 22nd and Ben Franklin and bring lots of friends.
"We have 50-60 people out here right now," Andy explains.
From the countless floats and stories high helium-filled balloon characters, everyone chimed in their favorites.
"Frosty the snow man..."
"The childhood Disney characters"
"The marching bands"
And those bands, they rocked.
It took 10,000 volunteers, from all over the country, to make the parade a success and at 93 years old, it's still going strong.
