Despite inclement weather, the annual Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade will begin Thanksgiving Day tomorrow in the heart of Philadelphia.
The oldest parade in the United States, according to John McDevitt of CBS Philly, is holding rehearsals today out with the threat of snow. The parade's co-producer, Todd Marcocci, says they will finish as much rehearsing for tomorrow's event as the weather allows.
"Of course we will be monitoring everything as time goes on, and if we have to 'mark' through things rather than do things full-out for camera rehearsals, we will certainly do that," Marcocci said. "Certainly, safety is the first concern."
The Philadelphia Street department told McDevitt that it will have snow and ice removal crews along the parade route as needed.
The parade route, according to Allie Volpe of Philly.com, begins at the intersection of 20th St. and JFK Blvd. The parade then goes east and makes left turns on 16th St., Arch St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where it ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
According to the parade's official website on 6ABC, the parade will be hosted by Rick Williams, Cecily Tynan, Karen Rogers and Alicia Vitarelli. The beginning of the parade will be aired nationally on ABC's Good Morning America, where Ginger Zee will kick off the festivities at 8:30 a.m. ET with Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev.
In regards to entertainment, a few high school bands across the United States will be marching around the 1.4-mile route. As for special guests, the official website mentions that appearances will be made by musician Lance Bass, Jerry Blavat, Charlie McDermott from ABC's The Middle, American Idol Season 12 winner Candice Glover, Motown the Musical, various characters from Sesame Street and Disney, cheerleaders from the Philadelphia Eagles, and many others.
As for balloons, the official website mentions appearances by My Little Pony, Nutcrackers, Mr. Potato Head, Clifford the big red dog, the Grinch, Bob the Builder, Strawberry Shortcake, the Lorax, Mistletoes the Snowman, and many others. The floats include themes such as Gingerbread House, Snow Fairy, Polar Bears, Under the Sea, Patriotic Liberty, Dunkin' Donuts, and others.
Philadelphia's Thanksgiving parade had its first showing held in 1920. Sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, the parade is in its 95th year of operation.
For those who live in the Philadelphia area, this year's Thanksgiving parade will air on 6ABC tomorrow between 8:30 a.m. and noon ET. Everyone else can watch the parade's official live stream on 6ABC's website.
