Philadelphia hosts oldest Turkey Day Parade in America

The oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country had another successful day in Philadelphia. 

Thousands lined the parade route to see the marching bands, balloons, clowns and floats that made up the annual Turkey Day extravaganza in Philadelphia.

John Jardell was handling a four-story-high Mr. Potato Head balloon.  He says even a little breeze makes it an interesting job, but the crowd of mostly children gives him a boost. “You get a burst of energy with all the excitement and all heading out there, the sunlight blasting on you and all the cheering, the noise…it’s great.” Ed Rattiedge says he’s been coming out to watch the parade for 30 years starting with his first two of six children. “We just added family and friends and at one time we had 10 adults and over 60 children coming to the parade,” he said. “Many of them now as they have gotten older come back. They meet us here, it’s a family tradition, it’s been great.” Spenser Lau came from Omaha Nebraska to play trombone with his high school in the parade.  He says the weather is colder here, but he and his bandmates adapt. “It mostly involved keeping your mouthpiece warm keeping your lips loose so when you play they don’t freeze up.  Other than that it’s pretty much the same as playing in normal weather.” The sunny, brisk day was filled with marching bands multiple story high helium balloons and others who came out to put on a show for the admiring fans.

 

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Many who come out say it’s the only way to start Thanksgiving Day.

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