Philly Thanksgiving Day parade attendees express gratitude despite challenges faced in 2025.
On Thanksgiving morning, a spontaneous decision led Chontai Diggs and her 9-year-old daughter, Zaria Roscoe, to leave their Mount Airy home and experience the 106th 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. For Diggs, who has long watched the parade from home, this year was an opportunity for Zaria to witness the towering inflatable floats in person. The excitement was palpable as they made their way to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway under the bright morning sun.
After the spectacle concluded, the duo planned to return home to prepare their Thanksgiving meal, with Zaria anticipating a feast of ham, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and pumpkin pie. As the parade unfolded on a brisk day, filled with the risk of floats being whisked away by the wind, families thronged along the parade route.
Among the attendees were Kamila Bond and Alex Vaz, two medical residents from the University of Pennsylvania. Both were grateful for the rare opportunity to enjoy the community celebration amidst their demanding hospital duties on previous Thanksgivings. They expressed their appreciation for their health and valued the chance to spend quality time with friends and family on the holiday.
Philadelphia’s longstanding Thanksgiving parade, which first took place in 1920, is a beloved local tradition started by Ellis Gimbel of the Gimbel Brothers department store. Initially culminating with Santa Claus’s grand arrival via an eighth-floor window, the modern version showcases a festive procession ending at the Art Museum. While the parade continues to expand, it maintains a unique Philadelphia essence.
Crowd favorites included a clown dressed as a Gimbel employee, invoking cheers from the audience, particularly when float handlers spun their displays, much to the delight of onlookers. However, the parade was notably missing the Temple University marching band, as it had been selected to perform in the 99th edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, celebrating its own centennial this year.
Despite some expected celebrity appearances, including former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, attendees saw only a pre-recorded message. Aikman mentioned the Philadelphia Professional Football Cheerleader Alumni group, who paraded down the Parkway adorned in vintage jackets.
In reflecting on the previous year, attendees conveyed a mix of gratitude and hope for brighter days ahead. For many, including local resident James Govan, this parade was an important tradition amid personal and national challenges. With a keen appreciation for life’s simple joys, Govan planned to savor his leisurely day, showcasing the spirit of Thanksgiving within the vibrant and festive atmosphere of Philadelphia’s parade.
In summary, the 2023 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade served not only as a celebration of the holiday but also as a reflection on resilience, community, and the shared experiences that define the fabric of Philadelphia culture.
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