CHICAGO — Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade will return with marching bands, festive floats, staged performances and equestrian units.
The 88th edition of the parade runs 8-11 a.m. Nov. 24 on State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street.
RELATED: Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade Started Decades Ago As The Christmas Caravan
Originally called Christmas Caravan, the parade was created in 1934 to uplift residents enduring the Great Depression, according to a news release.
This year’s parade will broadcast live on channel CW26. Actors Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch wil co-host.
The parade is free, but people can buy a $60 ticket for VIP seating.
Some of the scheduled performers:
- 8-9 a.m.: Staged performances from American Blues Theater, Ballet Folklorico Sones Mexicanos, Chicago Korean Dance Company, Cirque Experience, country artist Donnie Lee Strickland, Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, Danza Azteca Xochitl-Quetzal, Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago, Huaxing Arts Group, Music Theater Works and Renacer Boliviano.
- Marching bands from 19 schools and universities
- Equestrians from American Sidesaddle Association, Bertrand’s Miniature Horses, Escaramuza las Monarcas, Herder Holiday Horses, Ray of Hope Riders and SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program.
- Floats from Canadian Pacific, Casa de la Cultura Guatemalteca en Chicago, Chicago Chinese Culture & Art Society, Mid-USA Falun Dafa Association, Punjabi Cultural Society, Santa’s Village, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Chicago, and Wu Zhi Lin Performing Arts Association.
- Other participants include the Jesse White Tumblers Team, Aztec Dance – Xochitl-Quetzal, Michigan City Soul Steppers Drill Team, Bloom Township High School Choir, Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, Chicago Spirit Brigade and Cirque Experience.
Honored guests include Miss Illinois 2022 Monica Nia-Jones, Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen 2022 Mia Fritsch-Anderson and Santa Claus.
For more information and updates, visit the parade’s website.
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