<P> Started in 1920 , the Philadelphia parade is billed as the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country . Like other parades of its type , it features balloons , floats , high school marching bands , and celebrities . The first Thanksgiving Day parade held in 1920 was sponsored by Gimbels department store . When the parade was begun , it was called the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade . Ellis Gimbel , one of the founders of Gimbels Department Stores , wanted his toyland 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 and marchers paraded down Market Street , with the finale consisting of Santa Claus arriving at the eight floor toy department at Gimbels by climbing the ladder of a Philadelphia Fire Department ladder truck . Gimbels emulated other holiday parades already in existence . The Santa Claus Parade in Peoria , IL is held on the day after Thanksgiving and is the oldest , continuously - held holiday parade in the country . It was founded in 1887 under the sponsorship of Frederick Block and the Schipper & Block ( later Block & Kuhl ) Department Store . Block 's example led to the founding of similar parades in other cities . The retail parade tradition continues today . </P>
<P> Started in 1920 , the Philadelphia parade is billed as the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country . Like other parades of its type , it features balloons , floats , high school marching bands , and celebrities . The first Thanksgiving Day parade held in 1920 was sponsored by Gimbels department store . When the parade was begun , it was called the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade . Ellis Gimbel , one of the founders of Gimbels Department Stores , wanted his toyland 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 and marchers paraded down Market Street , with the finale consisting of Santa Claus arriving at the eight floor toy department at Gimbels by climbing the ladder of a Philadelphia Fire Department ladder truck . Gimbels emulated other holiday parades already in existence . The Santa Claus Parade in Peoria , IL is held on the day after Thanksgiving and is the oldest , continuously - held holiday parade in the country . It was founded in 1887 under the sponsorship of Frederick Block and the Schipper & Block ( later Block & Kuhl ) Department Store . Block 's example led to the founding of similar parades in other cities . The retail parade tradition continues today . </P>
where was the first thanksgiving parade held in 1920
where was the first thanksgiving parade held in 1920
Philadelphia
Philadelphia