Everyone loves a parade!
I always like lounging around home on Thanksgiving morning, turning on the television, watching the holiday parades and waiting for Santa to ride into town to kick off the Christmas season. Never mind that mall stores are pushing the holiday shopping season ever closer to Halloween, the season doesn’t really start in my mind until Santa arrives, greets the crowd and receives the keys to the city.
Visiting Chicago a few years ago, we ventured out of the warm cocoon of our hotel room on a briskly cold Thanksgiving morning to catch some of the city’s parade preparations and huddle on a crowded street corner to watch some of our favorite parade balloons pass by.
Ah, but if Chicago only had a Super Grover balloon!
Flying Muppet! Red nose! Is Rudolph still working with the reindeer, or does Santa need a new guide for his sleigh team?
Thanks to Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby for creating and coordinating Photo Friday to link travel photos and blog posts across the Web.
© Dominique King 2008
Wow, those are the coolest pictures! And look at that big Strawberry Shortcake! That's something!
Posted by: spyscribbler | December 19, 2008 at 07:15 AM
Firstly Thankyou for your comment Im glad you enjoyed the pictures.
Second I think your photo friday rocks! I have never seen the parade in person but I bet it's amaizing and you got some awsome pictures.
hope you and your family have a wonderful christmas
Posted by: wayne | December 19, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Cool! Love these pictures and I did not even know Chicago did a big parade like this! Learn something new every day. ;) Thanks!
Posted by: Soul Travelers3 | December 19, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Cool! Love these pictures and I did not even know Chicago did a big parade like this! Learn something new every day. ;) Thanks!
Posted by: Soul Travelers3 | December 19, 2008 at 07:38 AM
I didn't realize that Chicago had a Thanksgiving parade with the balloon characters. Growing up we used to go to NYC for the Macy's parade and so I had wanted to do that with my kids too. Better yet to know there is something similar in Chicago where I have family and a place to stay - thanks for the photo.
Posted by: kristi - ciao bambino | December 19, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Oh my, I'd love to see a parade like that in person. I've always just watched them on tv.
Posted by: Jenn | December 19, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I would so love to take my kids to a huge balloon parade. Some day...
Posted by: jamie | December 19, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Great pics! I brought my kids in to look at them and they both screamed with delight!!! Especially at Big Bird walking down the street!
Posted by: Jennifer | December 20, 2008 at 01:38 AM
This was the first big parade I'd seen in person, and I'm glad the photos turned out nice enough to share.
Detroit also has a nice Thanksgiving Day parade, complete with big balloon characters. It's funny that I've never been to that one and ended up seeing the Chicago parade.
I'm glad your kids enjoyed the pictures, Jennifer :)
Posted by: Dominique King | December 21, 2008 at 06:29 PM