CHICAGO (CBS) — The 90th annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade took to State Street Thursday morning as magic and music lit up downtown Chicago.
“I just love the feeling of everyone being here. We’re happy, we’re grateful, we all have something in common,” parade spokeswoman Ashley Berry said.
Now 90 years old, the annual tradition brought the return of giant helium balloons, festive floats, international bands and lots of dancing.
“We have groups from Australia, from different countries and from different parts of the U.S.,” said Dennis Evashenk, president of the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Foundation.
“What we’ve put together over those 90 years is really a unique parade, and I feel like there’s parades all over the country this morning, right? There’s great parades in every city happening this morning, but what’s great about Chicago is that we really highlight people from all over the world,” says Berry.
Planning for the annual Thanksgiving parade begins at least a year in advance, sometimes two years. From security to performances, the goal each year is to bring cultures from around the world to State Street.
“I love the diversity that we show, and the costumes, the colorful costumes, the very specific ways that everyone dresses – their hair, their makeup – the drumlines, everything. It’s just such a beautiful representation of what is great about Chicago,” Berry said.
Hundreds of thousands lined the parade route from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. Some grabbed their spots early to get a front-row view.
This year, out-of-towners spending Thanksgiving in Chicago were among the first to get ready for a parade.
“We support the Mobile Azalea Trail Mades of Mobile, Alabama,” said DeeDee Skelton. ‘It’s very cold. I think it’s 70 hours at home.’
For some families, the parade is an annual tradition as they gather to catch the magic. But beginners also braved the cold, trading the Dallas weather for something draftier.
“I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t prepared, but luckily I know that because it’s cold, it’s the Windy City, so I mean, you got the chills and the whole nine yards. Rodney Ogenche said.
“We were supposed to go home yesterday, but we extended the trip to stay for the parade. So we really didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I wanted to come to the parade,” Amanda Case said.
