Thanksgiving Day Parade 2011

The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an annual tradition for Chicago residents, and this year is no different. The parade, which celebrates its 77th year and is sponsored by McDonald's, will once again march down State Street on Thanksgiving (November 24).

This Year the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade Will Include:

Visits from Santa Claus and Ronald McDonald.

Some of Chicago’s most talented high school marching bands.

Giant balloons, including Garfield, Curious George and Underdog.

The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade Website has maps of the parade’s route and viewing areas. The parade begins at 8 a.m. on November 24, starting at State Street and Congress (map it) and ending at State and Randolph (map it), usually around 11 a.m.

History of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade: Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1936 when Walter Gregory, then president of the State Street Council, created the “Christmas Caravan” intended to stimulating economic development on State Street and also to cheer people up during the Depression.

If you can’t make it out for the parade, WGN-TV will have a live broadcast (channel 9 in Chicago). WGN-TV is broadcast nationwide, so even if you are out of town for the holiday, you can still watch it. Last year more than 5 million viewers nationwide tuned in and close to 400,000 spectators lined State Street.