Young and old alike will marvel at the sight of giant inflatable balloons, dance to the beat of the nation’s top marching bands, and cheer on the best performances from cultures around the world at this year’s McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Chicago. This year’s parade takes place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2009 from 8 to 11 am CST along State Street, from Congress to Randolph.

Originally called the Christmas Caravan in the 1930’s, the parade was created to help lift the spirits of residents suffering though the Great Depression. Even with today’s economic uncertainty, the McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade is there to entertain and brighten the holidays for everyone watching in person or on television.

For those wanting a closer seat to the action, a limited number of VIP Experience packages are available at the parade’s website: www.chicagofestivals.org. These packages include amenities including VIP Seats, a light continental breakfast and much more.

WGN 9 Chicago will air the parade live and in high definition from 8 to 11 a.m. CST on Thursday, Nov. 26. WGN America will also broadcast the parade nationally, establishing it as one of only three parades in the country to be covered live, in its entirety, on a national television broadcast.

For more information about the McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade, contact Chicago Festival Association at (312) 235-2217 or log on to www.chicagofestivals.org.

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