A Day Of Food, Family And Floats In Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It was a perfect day for a Philadelphia tradition: the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country.
All the floats, balloons, performers and high school marching bands from around the country here for the parade, but the costume of the day goes to spectator Nancy Dougherty, "A turkey costume. I stole it from my nephew once I heard he had it."
Nancy says this is a 20-year-tradition for her and all the friends she grew up with, even the one's who've moved out of town.
"Once a year you make sure you're here, whether or not, it's just good to see everybody, and it's a good family day too."
The parade offered a big thrill for eight-year-old Dominic Rathoff from Bear, Delaware, when he got to go out and help out with one of the big balloons. "I got to spin the balloon, they offered to let my brother spin, but he said no, so I asked and they let me."
While Dominic performed his duties without a hitch, not so for the massive Garfield balloon, "We were holding him down while they were inflating his back, and it literally blew up. We stood up and looked, and couldn't believe it, because it's not even something you could put duct tape on, it's all shredded in the back."
We all know how Garfield feels about mornings anyway.
Of course, the parade is just the start of the holiday that promises more family and lots of turkey.
Thanksgiving Day Parade slideshow.
Reported by Jim Melwert, KYW Newsradio 1060
