The 6abc Dunkin Thanksgiving Day Parade, the oldest Thanksgiving parade in American history, returned to the heart of Philadelphia on Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, marking its 106th edition. The arrival of Santa Claus during the parade symbolizes the official start of the holiday season.
According to 6abc, the parade featured 14 giant helium balloons, over 1,000 singers and dancers, and more than 30 independent marching bands. The three-hour parade delighted tens of thousands of spectators, prompting them to reflect on family, gratitude, and the spiritual significance of this longstanding tradition.
For many attendees, watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade is a cherished family tradition. Philadelphia nurse Emily Fleming told The Epoch Times that watching the parade is an annual tradition for her family, saying, “Luckily, we live nearby, so we just walk over and enjoy the atmosphere and fun here. Everyone gathers together to celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s fantastic!”
The festive atmosphere was palpable. Mildred Betit, a Philadelphia assistant professional, described the scene as “a lot of fun. Many families coming together. That’s Thanksgiving. We’re happy to be here.” She mentioned that her favorite part was the float themed after the popular TV show “Abbott Elementary”.
For first-time visitors to Philadelphia, the parade left a deep impression. Katie Dinsmore, a visitor from New York, celebrated Thanksgiving in Philadelphia with her family for the first time and particularly enjoyed the displays by the main sponsor. She said, “I love Dunkin’s float. It’s amazing! I love the decorations made with cups and doughnuts. So much fun!”
The festive atmosphere and community spirit at the parade have great appeal. Paula DeSousa, a clinical consultant from Lehigh Valley, attended the parade with her retired husband Joe DeSousa for the second consecutive year. Paula said the giant balloons in the parade were her favorite, saying, “It’s amazing! Seeing everyone coming out to play, it’s just great.” Joe added, “I’m a drummer, I love the bands.”
Amanda Petty, who works at a law firm in New Jersey, attended the parade for the first time, but she vowed it would not be her last. She mentioned that she came to commemorate her late mother, saying, “This is exactly her style, so we’re here to celebrate her life and the legacy she left us.” Petty expressed gratitude for the traditions her mother passed down and for helping her “become the best version of myself”. She and her sister have already planned to attend the parade again next year.
Aside from entertainment, the day also serves as a reminder for people to be grateful. For many, Thanksgiving means focusing on family and health. Fleming said the holiday signifies “family, food, celebrating the health and wealth of our family, and enjoying time together,” emphasizing that people should be most thankful for their family and loved ones. DeSousa expressed gratitude for “everything being very thankful, thankful for friends, family, everyone, thankful for health,” and cited that this year she is most thankful for “staying healthy”. Her husband Joe said, “I’m retired, I just love life.”
Rocky Auletto, a practicing nurse and recently retired from nearly 24 years of service in the US Air Force, reflected on the deeper meaning of Thanksgiving, saying the day “calls us to a recognition of our nation’s historical foundations, how we arrived at where we are today.”
Auletto hopes to use The Epoch Times to express gratitude to American soldiers serving overseas, thanking them for their selfless dedication and sacrifices made for loved ones. She stressed that Thanksgiving is “everyone’s gathering, regardless of your race, religion, nationality, or beliefs, just bringing people together to spend a meaningful day and be grateful for what we have.”