6abc Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The 6abc Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual Thankgsiving Day Santa Claus parade held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, currently sponsored and aired by WPVI-TV.

History

The parade is billed as the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country, having started in 1920. Like other parades of its type, it features balloons, floats, high school marching bands, and celebrities. When the parade first started out it was called the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was called this because Ellis Gimbel, one of the founders of Gimbels Department Stores, wanted his toyland to be the destination of holiday shoppers everywhere. He dressed up over 50 store employees and sent them out on their first Thanksgiving day parade. Another big part of the parade was seeing Santa Claus arrive. This tradition still occurs today.

When Gimbels shut down operations in 1986, Boscov's (a Reading, Pennsylvania-based family-owned department store) and WPVI (which generally uses "6abc" in its programs and promotions) took over sponsorship, hence today's name.

In 2004, the parade celebrated its 85th anniversary with special new balloons and floats. There was also a special opening number and tribute to all of the stars who have been in the parade in the past to celebrate the big 85th parade. In 2005 the parade had the most stars in the parade's history as well as more new balloons than before, with eight of them being new.

In 2007, the parade presented the first parade float with an ice rink on it, used by Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour (WPVI and "High School Musical" are both owned by Disney).

In August 2008, Boscov's Department Stores' title sponsorship was placed in jeopardy after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and planned on closing several stores due to financial problems. However, as of August 2008, Boscov's has stated that their title sponsorship of the parade is unaffected by the bankruptcy, and they will continue to sponsor the parade for the foreseeable future.

Television Coverage

In addition to WPVI, the parade is syndicated to television stations throughout the US, and is also seen on the internet through the station's website.

Hosts of the parade are WPVI's Dave Roberts and Cecily Tynan. Former host Lisa Thomas Laury, who left hosting the parade due to medical problems, comes back and helps host the final part of the parade. South Jersey native Kelly Ripa usually makes an annual appearance but was absent for the 2007 Parade.

The parade was broadcast in HDTV for the first time in 2006, as well as streamed over the Internet, thus providing a worldwide audience; this was repeated in 2007.

Balloons

Balloon introductions

* 2007: Cornucopia, Holiday Presents, Alvin Chipmunk, Paddington Bear, Santa Garfield, Penguins, Wizard
* 2006: Barney the Dinosaur, Arthur
* 2005: Bob the Builder, Hello Kitty, Curious George, Oscar the Grouch, Billy Blazes, Santa Claus, Kermit the Frog, D.W. on Rollerskates, Underdog
* 2004: 85th Anniversary Birthday Cake, The Pink Panther, Cookie Monster

Returning ballons

(i.e., balloons that had once been in the parade but were later removed and then returned)
* 2007: Miss Piggy, "T. rex", Cow Jumped Over the Moon
* 2006: Bear in the Big Blue House, Big Bird
* 2005: Felix the Cat

Redesigned balloons

* 2007: Curious George
* 2006: Wreath, Snowman, Curious George, Hello Kitty

Float Introductions

* 2007: Under the Sea, High School Musical on Ice
* 2006: Winnie The Pooh, King Tut
* 2005: Land of the Dinosaur, Food Drive Float, A Kittens Christmas
* 2004: Band Wagon

Stars, Performers, and Acts

In addition to the well-known balloons and floats, the parade also features live music and other performances. High school marching bands from across the country participate in the parade, and the television broadcasts feature performances by famous singers and bands.
* 2007: Keke Palmer, Josh Gracin, Anwar Robinson, High School Musical on Ice, Bianca Ryan, Philadelphia Eagles Cheeleaders.
*2006: Kelly Ripa, Pat Sajak, Paul DiMeo, Renee Goldsberry, Winnie The Pooh as the grand marshal, Ashley Parker Angel, Bianca Ryan, Martha Wash, Joanna Pacitti, Paris Bennett, Ace Young, Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry, Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2007 Maria DeSantis, The Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Mickey, Minnie, and the Disney Gang, Disney Princesses from Disney on Ice, The cast of Disney Magic Live, Miss Delaware 2006 Jamie Ginn, Miss Pennsylvania 2006 Emily Wills, Miss New Jersey 2006 Georgine DiMaria, and Santa & Mrs. Clause
*2005: Kelly Ripa, Tony Danza, Kelly Monaco, Ruben Studdard, Anthony Fedorov, Anwar Robinson, LaToya London, Thelma Houston, Miss America 2005 Diedre Downs, Miss America's Outstantding teen 2006 Meghan Miller, Captain Noah, Sally Star, Miss Delaware, Miss Pennsylvania, Miss New Jersey, Mickey, Minnie & Friends, Mr and Mrs. Incredible, Performance from Annie, and Santa and Mrs. Clause

6abc Holiday Food Drive

One of the largest food drives in the nation is the "6abc Holiday Food Drive" (known until 2006 as the "6abc/Boy Scouts Holiday Food Drive"). Every year around Thanksgiving the food drive sends out bags to residents homes and collection boxes at local stores. A few weeks later, they are picked up and sent to help those in need. The Boy Scouts also go to the parade route every year and collect food from spectators. The parade and food drive sponsors are generally the same.