PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thousands of people kicked off their holiday in Center City and along the Ben Franklin Parkway on Thursday for the 106th Thanksgiving Day Parade, the longest-running in the country.
The parade began at 8:30 a.m. when the first floats, balloons, and marching bands left 20th Street and JFK Boulevard. Despite the cold and blustery weather, people were bundled up in hats, some of the turkey variety, gloves, and blankets. Many had lawn chairs, snacks and thermoses with coffee or hot cocoa.
Attending the parade is a tradition that, for some, represents the passage of time and a family that has grown. There was a lot to take in on this parade day for John Longino, who knows exactly what he’s doing each Thanksgiving morning.
“I’ve been coming to this parade for probably 50 years,” he said. “Came here with my children for many years, my four children, and now my 14 grandchildren also come to the parade.”
Brianna Knight from South Jersey has her parade memories with her family growing up.
“We sat at the very front and came bright and early so we can watch everything. All the dancing, the singing.”
And on this day - new memories with her mom and her 5-month-old daughter Emory.
“I am having a great time bringing my baby here. She is asleep but I’m just enjoying the core memories that I’m making for myself and I’ll be able to show her pictures for later.”
And can’t forget about those in the parade like Jerry Ruttenberg from Blue Bell. With his colorful wig and big red nose, its the one day a year he gets to clown around and he would never trade it in.
“This is my 39th parade. I have a special needs son. He loves it. I’ll do it until I can’t walk and the truth is I love it. This morning’s a blast. It’s just a blast.”