# 6abc Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade

The 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual Thanksgiving Day parade held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is currently sponsored and broadcast by ABC owned-and-operated television station WPVI-TV, through a co-sponsorship agreement with restaurant chain Dunkin'. It is currently the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, having been held through the Great Depression and World War II, and was created by Gimbels department store in 1920. The Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade was held until the store closed operations in 1986.

## History
### 20th century

The annual Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1920. It is the longest continuously held Thanksgiving day parade in the country. Like other parades of its type, it features balloons, floats, high school marching bands, and celebrities. Gimbels department store sponsored the 1920 parade as the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade; it continued annually despite World War II.
Ellis Gimbel, one of the founders of Gimbels Department Stores, wanted his toy land to be the destination of holiday shoppers everywhere. He had more than 50 store employees dressed in costume and sent to walk in their first Thanksgiving Day parade. The parade featured floats as marchers paraded down Market Street, with the parade's finale featuring Santa Claus arriving at the eighth-floor toy department at Gimbels, where he climbed the ladder of a Philadelphia Fire Department ladder truck. Gimbels emulated other holiday parades already in existence. The Santa Claus Parade in Peoria, Illinois, is held on the day after Thanksgiving and is the oldest, continuously held holiday parade in the country since 1887, under the sponsorship of Frederick Block and the Schipper & Block, later renamed Block & Kuhl Department Store. Block's example led to the founding of similar parades in other cities. The parade tradition continues today.
When Batus Inc., which then owned Gimbels, was unable to find a buyer for the store in 1986, the Gimbel's chain was liquidated, leaving the fate of the country's oldest parade was up in the air. Boscov's, a family-owned department store based in Reading, Pennsylvania, and WPVI (6abc), the ABC affiliate in Philadelphia, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company, then took over sponsorship of the parade. They renamed the event as the 6abc Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

### 21st century

In 2004, the parade celebrated its 85th anniversary with new balloons and floats. An opening number paid tribute to the celebrities who had participated during its history. In 2005, it had the most stars in history, as well as eight new balloons, more than ever before. In 2007, the parade presented the first parade float with a built-in ice rink. Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour utilized the rink.
In August 2008, Boscov's Department Stores filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and planned to close several stores, due to financial problems from the widespread recession. They then gave up sponsorship of the parade. Swedish furniture manufacturer IKEA, which has a store and its North American home office in nearby Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, succeeded Boscov's as parade sponsor from that year until 2010.
In June 2011, Dunkin' Donuts announced that they would sponsor the parade. In addition to balloons and marching bands, the show features ABC Network celebrities, stars from stage and screen, Disney characters, and local personalities, including members of the Action News team.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade was held as a television-only event. The 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Celebration featured modifications similar to those made by the Macy's and America's Thanksgiving Parades. The parade returned to its traditional format in 2021.

## Television coverage

Since 1966, the parade has been broadcast on WPVI, as well as simulcast on other television stations throughout the United States. Viewers could also watch the telecast on the station's website, 6abc.com, ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu, and since 2023 the parade has been aired intenationally via the Youtube page of ABC News.
Good Morning America, ABC's national morning news program, sends a reporter to the event each year and covers festivities leading up to the parade. Recently, Good Morning America then-weather anchor Sam Champion participated in hosting, marking his 6th year of participation in 2013. In more recent years, current GMA weekday weather anchor Ginger Zee has participated in hosting.
Jim O'Brien was the program's first host; Dave Roberts became a perennial host upon joining the station in 1978. After the sudden death of O'Brien in 1983, WPVI's Lisa Thomas-Laury "took the reins" as Roberts's co-host. Together, Roberts and Thomas-Laury hosted the parade for nearly 20 years. When Thomas-Laury began to experience health problems in 2002, WPVI weather anchor Cecily Tynan replaced her. 2006 marked the program's first high-definition telecast.
Since her return to WPVI, Thomas-Laury helped host the finale in 2005 and 2006. In 2009, the station announced that Roberts would retire from broadcasting on December 11 of that year. Thomas-Laury made a special appearance in 2009 to celebrate Roberts's years as host. The current hosting team is Tynan and WPVI news anchor Rick Williams, who replaced Roberts.
In 2024, the parade will simul-stream nationally on ABC News Live, Disney Plus, and Hulu.
WPVI also broadcasts annual live coverage of Philadelphia's Pulaski, Columbus, and Puerto Rican parades.

## Balloons

Balloons have been created to represent a wide variety of characters from popular children's books, including folk tales; toys, comic books, animated movies (cartoons), TV series (such as Sesame Street), films and other genres. Increasingly over the years, the balloons have featured characters who have tie-in marketing of toys, games, and accessories.
| Year | Featured Balloons |
| 2010 | New: Bugs Bunny, Fred Flintstone, The Jetsons Returning: Cornucopia, Sam I Am from Green Eggs and Ham, Mr. Potato Head, Big Bird, Toy Train, Scooby-Doo, Twinkles the Snowman, Nutcracker, Turkey, Horton the Elephant, Elmo |
| 2011 | New: Buddy the Dinosaur from Dinosaur Train, Curious George, Red from Fraggle Rock, Apollo the Dog Returning: Turkey, Cornucopia, Madeline, Scooby-Doo, 2 Gift Packages, Bugs Bunny, Fred Flintstone, Toy Train, 2 Gingerbread Men, Kermit the Frog |
| 2012 | New: Thomas the Tank Engine, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Lorax, Mr. Conductor from Dinosaur Train, Fireman Mr. Potato Head, Sid the Science Kid Returning: Cookie Monster, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Elmo, Pizzazz the Snowman, T-Rex, 2 Gift Packages, Turkey |
| 2013 | New: Chuggington Returning: Mr. Potato Head, Snowflake, Holiday Stocking and Christmas Bell Balloons were limited this year due to winds |
| 2014 | New: Maisy Mouse, Caillou, Garfield Santa, Bob the Builder, Mistletoes the Snowman Returning: My Little Pony, Mr. Potato Head, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Plex from Yo Gabba Gabba, Strawberry Shortcake, The Lorax, The Grinch, Pajanimals, Mr. Conductor from Dinosaur Train, The Cat in the Hat, Horton, Nutcrackers |
| 2015 | New: Phila-A-Turkey, Tasmanian Devil, Daniel Tiger, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bubbles the Goldfish Returning: Red from Fraggle Rock, Garfield Santa, Strawberry Shortcake, Sam I Am from Green Eggs and Ham, Scooby-Doo, Mr. Potato Head Fireman, Gift Boxes, Thomas the Tank Engine, The Grinch, My Little Pony |
| 2016 | New: Foofa from Yo Gabba Gabba, Tweety Bird, Captain Barnacles Returning: Olivia the Pig, T-Rex, Tasmanian Devil, Curious George, The Cat in the Hat, Mr. Potato Head, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Bugs Bunny, The Grinch, Scooby-Doo, Daniel Tiger |
| 2017 | New: Buddy the Dinosaur (from Dinosaur Train), Penguins of Madagascar, Fiddlesticks the Holiday Mouse, Thing 1 and Thing 2 Returning: Bugs Bunny, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Daniel Tiger, Strawberry Shortcake, Gingerbread Man, Red from Fraggle Rock, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Pajanimals |
| 2018 | New: Where's Waldo? Returning: The Grinch, Thing 1, Thing 2, Hello Kitty. Santa Claus, Brainy Smurf, Strawberry Shortcake, T-Rex, Daniel Tiger, Underdog, Pizzazz the Snowman |
| 2019 | All balloons grounded due to severe winds |
| 2020 | None |
| 2021 | New: Pac-Man, Jerold the Bookworm, Bumble the Abominable Snowman, Gingersnap the Elf Returning: Fiddlesticks, Daniel Tiger, Rudolph, Turkey, Buddy the Dinosaur, Clifford the Big Red Dog, The Cat in the Hat, Cupcakes |
| 2022 | New: Smurfette, Peppa Pig, Alma, Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Eva Green Tree Returning: Mr. Potato Head, Thomas the Tank Engine, Bumble the Abominable Snowman, Gift Box, 2 Ornaments, Bugs Bunny, Strawberry Shortcake, Turkey |
| 2023 | New: Sunny Starscout from My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, Hermie the Elf, Gobo from Fraggle Rock Returning: Turkey, Bumble the Abominable Snowman, Mr. Potato Head Fireman, Pac-Man, Horton the Elephant, Magenta and Tartan Ornaments, Pizazz the Snowman, Red from Fraggle Rock, My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, Neon Gift Box, Smurfette |
| 2024 | New: Butterscotch the Elf, Dunkin’ Gift Boxes, Daniel Tiger as The Drum Major, Sunny Starscout from My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, Twinkles the Snowman, Bumble the Abominable Snowman Returning: Turkey, Fancy Holiday Bell, Gingersnap the Elf, Brainy Smurf, Tweety Bird, Tasmanian Devil, Holiday Wreath, Rudolph |

## 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, and the television broadcasts feature performances by famous singers and bands as well as appearances by local celebrities and actors from ABC shows. Since 1997, the parade has also featured a tap routine called "FanTAPulous," with more than 450 dancers from the East Coast. Other special guests include state and national beauty contest winners, cheerleaders of major sports teams, casts from musicals performing in Philadelphia, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
2024 will be the first time the Philadelphia Ghostbusters join the parade line up. They will be accompanied by members of the Delco Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters of New Jersey, and Diamond State Ghostbusters.

## Marching bands

| Year | Performing Marching Bands |
| 2013 | A.I. DuPont Tiger Marching Band (Greenville, DE), Arab High School Marching Band (Arab, AL), Brentwood High School Band (Brentwood, TN), Central Carroll High School Marching Band (Carrolton, GA), Campaign Central High School Marching Marroons (Champaign, IL), East Mississippi Community College Marching Band (Scooba, MS), Greater Richmond Combined Marching Band (Richmond, VA), Jay County High School Band (Portland, IN), Nansemond River High School Magnificent Marching Warrior Band (Suffolk, VA), Naples High School Golden Eagle Marching Band (Naples, FL), Pennsbury High School Band (Fairless Hills, PA), The Pride of Southside High School (Southside, AL), Sullivan South High School Rebel Band (Kingsport, TN), Tournament of Bands All Star Marching Band (from 9 states), Ridge View High School Band (Columbia, SC), West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band (West Chester, PA), Whiteland Community High School Marching Warriors (Whiteland, IN) |
| 2014 | A.I. DuPont Tiger Marching Band (Greenville, DE), Tate High School Band (Cantonment, FL), Cardinal Regiment and Cardettes (Athlens, TX), Coffman High School Band (Dublin, OH), Tournament of Bands All-Star Band (from 14 states), Decatur Central High School Marching Band (Indianapolis, IN), Bellefontaine High School Band (Bellefontaine, OH), Athens Drive High School Band (Raleigh, NC), Georgia All Select High School Band (Georgia), Jerome High School Band (Dublin, OH), Freedom High School Band (Orlando, FL), Colquitt County High School Band (Moultrie, GA), Hartselle High School Band (Hartselle, AL), Albertville High School Band (Albertville, AL), Scioto High School Band (Dublin, OH), Destrehan High School Band (Destrehan, LA), Middletown - Appoquiniming combined High School Band (Middletown, DE), Brunswick High School Band (Brunswick, GA), Boardman High School Band (Youngstown, OH) |
| 2015 | Tournament of Bands All-Star Marching Band (from 14 states), A.I. Dupont Tiger Marching Band (Greenville, DE), Smiths Station High School Panther Spirit Band (Smith Station, AL), Alan B. Shepard Marching Band (Palos Heights, IL), Pennsbury High School Marching Band (Fairless Hills, PA), The Sound of Brownsburg High School Marching Band (Brownsburg, IN), Laporte High School Marching Band (Laporte, IN), Jackson Memorial Jaguar Band (Jackson, NJ), Combined bands of Midland Valley and Silver Bluff High Schools (Granitville, SC), Fishers High School Marching Tiger Band (Fishers, IN), Riverview High School Band (Sarasota, FL), Oneonta High School Band (Oneonta, AL), Kutztown University Marching Unit (Kutztown, PA), Pendleton Heights High School Marching Band (Pendleton, IN), Heights Youth Club and Marching Band (Montego Bay - St. James, Jamaica) |
| 2016 | A.I. DuPont High School Tiger Band (Greenville, DE), Anthony Wayne High School Marching Generals (Whitehouse, OH), Baldwin County All-Star Band (Baldwin County, AL), Brooks High School Marching Band (Killen, AL), Dwight Morrow High School Marching Band (Englewood, NJ), East Hills Middle School Band (Bethlehem, PA), Heights Marching Band (Montego Bay, Jamaica), Homewood High School Patriot Band (Homewood, AL), Huntsville High School Crimson Panther Marching Band (Huntsville, AL), Jonathan Adler High School Marching Band (Plain City, OH), North Augusta High School Jacket Regiment (North Augusta, SC), NorthWood High School Red Regiment (Nappanee, IN), Penn High School Marching Kingsmen (Mishawaka, IN), Pennsbury High School Marching Band (Fairless Hills, PA), The Pickens and Fannin Count High School Band (Jasper and Blue Ridge, GA), Rome High School Marching Band (Rome, GA), Tournament of Bands All Star Marching Band (from 9 states), Wayne County High School Marching Band (Jesup, GA), Winchester Community High School Band (Winchester, IN), Woodland High School Marching Band (Stockbridge, GA) |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | A.I. DuPont High School Marching Band (Wilmington, DE), Bellefontaine High School Band (Delaware), Biloxi High School Band (Biloxi, MS), Bedford North Lawrence Marching Stars (Bedford, IN), Bloomington North High School Band (Bloomington, IN), Braden River High School Band (Bradenton, FL), Brien McMahon High School Band (Norwalk, CT), Crestview High School Band (Crestview, FL), University of Delaware Band (Newark, DE), Defiance High School Band (Delaware), Dublin Jerome High School Band (Dublin, OH), Dublin Scioto Irish Band (Dublin, OH), Dublin Coffman Band (Dublin, OH), Lafayette Jefferson High School Band (Lafayette, IN), Lowndes High Marching Band (Valdosta, GA), Lenape Regional High School Band (Burlington County, NJ), Muskego High School Marching Band (Muskego, WI), Olentangy Orange High School Band (Lewis Center, OH), Pearl City High School Marching Band (Pearl City, HI), Pennsbury High School Band (Fairless Hills, PA), Tournament of Bands All Star Marching Band (from 9 states), Scotland County High School Band (Laurinburg, NC), Wyoming All-State Band (Wyoming) |
| 2019 | A.I. DuPont High School Tiger Marching Band (Wilmington, DE), Bainbridge High School Marching Band (Bainbridge, GA), Ben Davis Marching Giants (Indianapolis), Brunswick Marching Pirates (Brunswick, GA), Colquitt County High School Band (Norman Park, GA), East Hills Middle School Band (Bethlehem, PA), Freedom Patriot Band (Bethlehem, PA), Gulf Coast High School Marching Sharks (Naples, FL), Guntersville High School Crimson Guard (Guntersville, AL), Jackson High School Marching Band (Ohio), Jacket Pride Marching Band (Denham Springs, LA), Kingsway Regional Marching Band (Gloucester County, NJ), Mary G. Montgomery High School Band (Semmes, AL), Morgantown High School Marching Band (Morgantown, WV), Pennsbury High School Band (Fairless Hills, PA), Pride of Portage Marching Band (Portage, IN), Spirit of Twin Lakes High School Band (Monticello, IN), Tournament of Bands All Star Marching Band (multiple states), University of New Hampshire Marching Band (Durham, NH), West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band (West Chester, PA), White Knoll High School Band (Lexington,SC) |
| 2020 | None |
| 2021 | None |
| 2022 | Clearview Regional High School Band (Gloucester County, NJ), Decatur Central High School Marching Band and Color Guard (Indianapolis), East Hills Middle School Marching Band (Bethlehem, PA), Jasper High School Band (Jasper, IN), Kingsway Regional High School Band (Gloucester County, NJ), Mount Vernon High School Marching Band (Indiana), Parkland High School Band (Allentown, PA), Pennsbury High School Marching Band (Fairless Hills, PA), Pocono Mountain East High School Band (Swiftwater, PA), Reynoldsburg Raider Marching Band (Reynoldsburg, OH), Salem High School Marching Band (Virginia), Whiteland Community High School Band (Whiteland, IN) |

## 6abc Dunkin' Donuts Holiday Food Drive

For more than 25 years, WPVI-TV has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America Cradle of Liberty Council in their Scouting For Food program to collectively coordinate one of the most massive food drives in the nation. (In recent years, until 2006, it was called the 6abc/Boy Scouts Holiday Food Drive). In 2006 the Holiday Food Drive amassed 120,000 lbs of food, and for 2010 Boy Scouts troops' efforts led to the collection of over 40,000 pounds of food towards the cumulative total. The food drive distributes paper bags to residents' homes and collection boxes at local stores in the region. A few weeks later, they are picked up and sent to help those in need at Thanksgiving and the end of year holidays. 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. In June 2011, Dunkin' Donuts announced that they would also co-sponsor the food drive. Proceeds of the food drive currently benefit Philabundance.