CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It was a special Thanksgiving morning in the Loop as the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade made its return after a one-year hiatus.
This year’s theme was ‘Where Grateful Hearts Gather’.
Dozens of high-flying balloons, dance acts and marching bands filled State Street from Ida B. Wells to Randolph.
Local performers included the Bloom Township High School Choir, the Aedok Lee Chicago Korean Dance Company and the Jesse White Tumblers.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot addressed some safety concerns the public may have regarding the parade earlier this week in light of the incident in Waukesha, Wis. where a man drove through the city's Christmas parade Sunday killing six people and injuring more than 60.
“Public safety is the number one priority for all special events hosted within the City of Chicago,” said Rich Guidice, Executive Director of the city's Office of Emergency Management Communications.
“We work closely with event organizers months in advance to plan and refine security measures implemented each year through tabletop exercises, safety plan enhancements and modifications to ensure the safety and security of event attendees and staff.”
This year’s parade comes after the 2020 event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, which was the first cancellation in parade history.
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