Originally created to lift spirits during the Great Depression, the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade celebrates its 89th year by featuring a variety of entertainment including staged performances, marching bands, equestrian groups, floats and more along a half-mile route.

       Co-hosts Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch will be joined by honored guests including avery r. young, Chicago’s poet laureate.

       [ The Chicago Bears have played 37 times on Thanksgiving — but not this year. Here’s how they’ve fared in each game since 1920. ]

       Chicago Thanksgiving Parade: When and Where When: 8-11 a.m. Thursday

       Route: State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive north to Randolph Street

       How to watch: The parade will be broadcast live on Pluto TV and WCIU-Ch. 26. Encore presentations will be available on CAN TV.

       [ Vintage Chicago Tribune: Sacked grocery and convenience stores we wish we were visiting this holiday season ]

       What’s new? A balloon squeezes under "L" tracks during the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade in the Loop. (Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune)

       Helium-filled balloons are back: Watch them “limbo” underneath the “L” tracks near Harold Washington Library Center.

       Weather forecast

       Widespread rain tapers off today, though a few lake effect showers linger in northwest Indiana tonight. Dry and seasonable for Thanksgiving, then turning cooler into weekend. #ilwx #nwx pic.twitter.com/VY43WLznPk

       — NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) November 21, 2023

       Expect a dry, partly sunny day Thursday with highs in the upper 40s and lows in the low 30s and 20s.

       [ Thanksgiving weather in Chicago: The most extreme conditions since 1872 ]

       Source: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

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       Originally Published: Nov 21, 2023 at 4:18 pm