The worldwide pandemic, COVID-19, has caused many changes in our lives from virtual school to changing how we will celebrate holidays with our loved ones. Sadly, COVID-19 is also cancelling not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, but seven, Christmas parades all over the United States this year.
1. Hollywood Christmas Parade: The Hollywood Christmas Parade is one of Hollywood’s oldest traditions, dating back to the 1920’s. Seeing the success of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce head Colonel Harry Blaine, came up with the idea of the parade to promote a variety of businesses. Later, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce would turn it into an annual celebration in 1931. This year’s parade however has been cancelled, but there will be a TV special with moments from previous parades. For anyone that is interested, “The Hollywood Christmas Parade” will be featured on The CW network on December 4, from 8 to 10pm.
2. America’s Thanksgiving Parade: America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, Michigan, is a holiday tradition dating back to 1924, founded by J. L. Hudson’s, a downtown department store. Being a holiday tradition for almost 100 years now, this will be the first time without a live crowd watching since it will be virtual on WDIV-Local 4. Each year there is a different theme, with this year being We Are One Together to honor the frontline workers and heroes of COVID-19. America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner-White, is one of the country’s largest and most spectacular Parades in the United States!
3. 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade: This Thanksgiving Day parade is the oldest in the country and celebrated its 100th year last year. Due to COVID-19, the Philadelphia officials on November 17, cancelled all large-scale events, including the Philadelphia Marathon, block parties, and of course the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time the parade has been cancelled before, just once in 1971, due to bad weather. An alternative “celebration made specially for Philadelphia” will be airing on television, in a statement issued by 6ABC.
4. Reston Holiday Parade: Just like most of the other parades that have been listed so far, the Reston Holiday Parade includes both Thanksgiving and Christmas and takes place the day after Thanksgiving, on Friday. There is not much information that can be found, but on the Reston Town Center website, it was announced that this year’s Reston Holiday Parade and their Tree Lighting event had been cancelled.
