10 great places to see a parade
Even in a virtual-reality universe, parades still attract huge crowds. “The world’s moving at a pretty fast pace, but I really don’t see a time when people lose interest,” says Barry Kern, president of Kern Studios, which designs and builds floats for hundreds of events a year. The New Orleans company is known for its elaborate Mardi Gras creations. With the holiday season starting, he shares some favorites processions with Larry Bleiberg for Paste BN.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York
Part of many families’ Thanksgiving morning tradition, the televised event owes part of its popularity to its appearance in the 1947 film, Miracle on 34th Street — a reference to the location of Macy’s flagship department store. “It’s great in my mind because of the balloons and the majesty of the great boulevards in New York,” Kern says. The procession celebrates its 90th running this year. social.macys.com/parade
6ABC Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade
Philadelphia
The country’s oldest Thanksgiving parade winds its way for 1.4-miles along Benjamin Franklin Parkway and other Philadelphia avenues. It’s particularly notable for balloons featuring everything from Frosty the Snowman to Mr. Potato Head. “It’s kind of the granddad of all the holiday parades. They put on a fabulous show,” Kern says. dig.abclocal.go.com/wpvi/html/tdp2015/index.html
Tournament of Roses Parade
Pasadena, Calif.
This spectacular New Year’s event, which marks its 128th running in 2017, features floats completely covered with organic materials. It was started to promote California’s moderate climate, showing the rest of the country that flowers could grow there during winter. After the parade, the floats are displayed for several days. “It’s really special and it’s beautiful,” Kern says. Held this season on Jan. 2. tournamentofroses.com
Magnificent Mile Tree-Lights Parade
Chicago
Watch Michigan Avenue light up for the holidays during this evening parade. As it proceeds, streets light up block by block, Kern says. “I’ve seen it several times, it’s beautiful.” The festival includes musical performances and a tree lighting and attracts one million visitors. Held this year on Nov. 19. themagnificentmile.com
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Parade
Tampa
Ahoy matey! Kern calls this a Mardi Gras-style participatory parade, with parading pirates arriving by ship and boarding floats to toss out beads and trinkets to eager crowds. “It’s a big, big, big event, and it’s a whole lot of fun,” Kern says. Next running: Jan. 28. gasparillapiratefest.com
Chinese New Year Parade
San Francisco
Called the country’s biggest Asian celebration, this illuminated night-time Chinatown procession welcomes the new year with pomp and pageantry. It takes a team of 100 participants to carry a 268-foot dancing golden dragon, called Gum Lung. “You have all the food and culture. It’s colorful and a lot of fun,” Kern says. The parade, which dates to the Gold Rush era, runs next on Feb. 11, welcoming the Year of the Rooster. chineseparade.com
Mardi Gras
New Orleans
While there’s no single New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, the biggest and most spectacular ones come in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday, which falls next on Feb. 28. “We have 12 days of parades. You can come on a weekend and easily see a half dozen,” Kern says. The standout might be the Endymion procession, which has 90 different floats and runs the Saturday before Mardi Gras day. “It’s like nothing else you’ll see in the world. Some are bigger than football fields.” neworleansonline.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Savannah, Ga.
Savannah throws a huge party every year for one the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades. The city’s famed fountains run green and cries of Erin Go Bragh! echo off the historic homes and buildings lining the route. “There’s a lot of art and culture in the city. It’s a great parade,” Kern says. savannahsaintpatricksday.com
National Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade
Washington
Washington may be at its prettiest in the spring when its famed cherry blossom trees reach full bloom. This seasonal celebration makes for a grand pageant, Kern says. “It’s an incredible event. The parade itself goes down all those great boulevards in D.C., and it’s absolutely lovely,” Kern says. Runs next April 8. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Texas Cavaliers River Parade
San Antonio
The Alamo City welcomes springtime with this colorful River Walk celebration. “All the floats are built on barges and everyone goes down to the river to watch them float by,” Kern says. Inspired by Mexico City’s floating garden barges and boats, this parade has been running since 1941, and is a highlight of the city’s Fiesta celebration. Next running April 24. texascavaliers.org/river-parade