NFL on Thanksgiving Day: Food & Football [Preview]

Football is as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and awkward family moments. Unfortunately, the two teams required by the 28^th Amendment to host games on Thanksgiving, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, haven’t provided too many memorable match-ups in recent history. But this Thanksgiving, five out of the six teams in action are in the playoff mix, and at least two of the games should be very entertaining.

Photo by guyfromlargo, CC BY-NC 2.0

Let’s take a look at what’s on tap.

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8 Tips for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade [Preview]

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | Thursday, November 24, 2011 | New York

Breathe it in: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Does anything announce more loudly and cheerfully that the holidays have arrived? For me, the answer is “No.” Every Thanksgiving, I’d wake up to the sounds of the parade from the TV and the smell of delicious food from the kitchen. I loved everything about the event: the big balloons floating through the skyscrapers, the musical numbers, the people dressed in big coats, hats and scarves. As a kid in sunny Los Angeles, I always thought to myself, “Yes, now that’s what the holidays are all about.”

Kung Fu Panda in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by Kent Miller.

It should come as no surprise then that when I was a college sophomore in Boston with nowhere to go on Thanksgiving, I grabbed my then-boyfriend (now-husband), packed up a bunch of warm clothes, boarded the Chinatown bus and  traveled to New York City. I didn’t care that we didn’t have enough money for the trip nor that we were going to be in NYC during one of the most touristy times of the year. I didn’t care at all because we were going to see the Macy’s Day Parade.

So, if you are like me, and the time has come to see the Macy’s Day Parade in person, here are some tips to ensure that the event is as magical as you always imagined it would be:

America’s Top 12 Thanksgiving Parades

Bust out the gravy, stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and cider–Thanksgiving is around the corner! Did you know that there’s more than just the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade out there in the United States? There are plenty of fantastic parades held around the country each year, so we’re bringing you the Top 12 Thanksgiving Parades in the United States. Belly up to this feast.

All of these parades are free to attend; however, tickets for purchase are available for grandstand or reserved seating when applicable.

1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – New York, NY

Thursday, November 24 at 9 am EST

This year’s highlights: Tim Burton’s B. balloon; Daniel Radcliffe on the Herald Square stage in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

The Macy’s Day Parade is the biggest Thanksgiving parade celebration in the United States. Immortalized in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street, the parade is broadcast across the country on NBC affiliates at 9 am EST and PST. Celebrating its 85th year, expect 15 giant character balloons, marching bands, 27 floats, 800 clowns, performances from major Broadway shows and countless TV/movie/recording celebrities.

2. McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade – Chicago, IL

Thursday, November 24 at 8 am CET

Don’t eat: adorable mascot Teddy Turkey.

Walking down Chicago’s State Street, the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade has been going strong since 1934 and is the most popular Thanksgiving celebration in the Midwest. The three-hour parade features giant balloons galore, marching bands, celebrities, floats and more. Spectators from around the country can tune into this parade on WGN America at 7 am EST/4 am PST.

McDonalds Thanksgiving Parade. Photo courtesy of Chicago Festival Association.