Picture this: You just woke up on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, and you plod into the living room to turn on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as you eat breakfast and prepare yourself for a day of feasting.
The annual New York City parade has been broadcast since 1924, but we’re turning this 100-year-old tradition on its head by re-imagining it to be entirely Greenville-themed. Step aside, Al, Savannah, and Hoda — we’ll take it from here.
Kicking things off
While the classic parade usually begins with performers from Broadway shows, our version would tap into Greenville’s vibrant theatre scene with performances from SC Children’s Theatre, Greenville Theatre, Centre Stage, and Warehouse Theatre.
March to the beat
No parade is complete without marching bands. We’d call on the bands from each of Greenville’s high schools, which you’ll often find marching in the annual Greenville Christmas Parade.
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Photo via Macy’s Event Media + GVLtoday
Flying high above Greenville
Now for the main event — the floats + balloons. While the Thanksgiving Day Parade is known for flying characters like Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, Felix the Cat, and Tom Turkey, our version would include:
- Duke’s Mayo
- A Mouse on Main
- A big cup of Methodical Coffee
- Reedy Ripit + Stomper the Swamp Rabbit
- A larger-than-life Stecca bread
- A Papi’s taco
- The Unity sign
The grand finale
True parade fans who stick around to the very end know that the Thanksgiving Day Parade concludes with a visit from Santa Claus. But in our version, we’d call on Mayor Knox White, the longest-serving mayor in our city’s history.
So, did we hit the nail on the head or ruffle any feathers? Let us know what else you’d include in a Greenville version of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — we just might include your answer in a future newsletter.
