| When was the last time you give thanks either to | | | | leaders, Walter Gregory, President of Chicago's State |
| God, love ones, relatives, friends and to fellowmen? | | | | Street Council, suggested a plan of a Christmas |
| Well giving thanks to God is a must because He | | | | parade to Chicago Mayor Edward Kelly with the |
| created us, and in every moment because He has | | | | expectation of lifting up the perceptions and feelings |
| been caring and providing us with all our daily physical | | | | of the general public. The mayor approved and in |
| needs. We will never sustained life in this earth even | | | | December 7, 1934 the first Chicago's Christmas |
| for a single minute without his loving care and divine | | | | Parade was held on the State Street. Many of the |
| protection. But to our fellow human beings, giving | | | | leaders and some residents considered it not as a |
| thanks is dependent on the person's upbringing, | | | | parade but rather as a caravan. With much optimism |
| practice and culture. Then, what is generally and | | | | of the leaders the event really resulted to the |
| socially accepted standards of giving thanks? Well the | | | | desired growth of the economy and for the first |
| most common, basic and generally accepted practice | | | | time since 1927 Chicago experienced the biggest |
| is when you receive a favor, a help or possibly a | | | | buying holiday period. |
| recipient of the benefits from other person. | | | | There were considerable changes that the |
| Thanksgiving may be expressive and demonstrative | | | | organization has made since the time they started |
| where you will see concrete actions and tangible | | | | and in 2002, the Chicago Festival Association (CFA) |
| things and another manner is the passive way of just | | | | replaced the format of the parade from a Christmas |
| being silent and giving perhaps a smile. | | | | Parade to Thanksgiving parade that it is today. A lot |
| Today many people in the world are not only giving | | | | of people were surprised because in a few years |
| thanks individually but in groups, corporate settings or | | | | time the number of spectators on the streets has |
| government units. And to mention one of the many | | | | increased tremendously. In addition the number of |
| cities which is celebrating thanksgiving is the City of | | | | participating cities has swelled from a handful to a |
| Chicago and they are commemorating it as an annual | | | | majority in just two years time. Finally since 2006 the |
| affair called the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade and | | | | Chicago Festival Association has partnered with |
| for this year it kicks off on November 26, 2009. A | | | | McDonald's as the parade sponsor. In 2007, another |
| new development is the renaming of the affair to | | | | innovation was made by CFA wherein they invited |
| McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade which has been | | | | pop rock group Plain White T's to perform in the |
| celebrated for over 70 years and this is presented | | | | parade for free. In 2008 the parade celebrated its |
| by the Chicago Festival Association (CFA). This is | | | | 75th anniversary which was broadcast live nationwide |
| highlighted with a 3-hour street parade in downtown | | | | for 3 hours by WGN and WGN America and the first |
| Chicago attended by over 100 participating "units". | | | | for Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. There were |
| This also features giant tethered helium balloons, local | | | | leading local companies which participated in the |
| celebrities, marching bands, dancers, floats, horses, | | | | event such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey |
| drill teams, circus performers and many more and | | | | and generally the event was considered as |
| upon going home the celebrants traditionally feasted | | | | successful. |
| on roasted turkey. The event is telecast live locally | | | | The spectacular Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| on WGN-TV and nationally on WGN America and the | | | | has becoming popular not only in Chicago and Illinois |
| live spectators of the event are estimated to reach | | | | but even to the whole American populace. This is |
| 400,000. This is really an exciting event to watch | | | | evident by the participation of the local residents and |
| personally and people from around the globe who | | | | reception and interest of the people from outside |
| want to witness the event can easily come and avail | | | | Chicago. For people who may be interested to come |
| of the Chicago cheap flights promotional offering. | | | | and witness the event and perhaps may be hindered |
| The original intention of the parade was to boost the | | | | by finances, you need not to worry because there is |
| morale of the people and to help them feel better | | | | still a way of overcoming it. There is a great package |
| during the US great depression. In 1934 during this | | | | deal which makes your visit to the city on the |
| period many leaders in Chicago were disheartened; | | | | Thanksgiving Day Parade a success through the |
| thus, triggering them to look for ways to uplift the | | | | Chicago cheap flights promotional offering and this is |
| economy and the public spirit as well. One of the | | | | available from your travel agents. |