The holiday parade on Chicago’s State Street is, for many of us, the highpoint of the holiday season in Chicago. The holiday parade is no longer called Chicago State Street Parade, but the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade.
The event began as a caravan on December 7, 1934. Mayor Edward Kelly hoped the caravan could fuel the Depression-era economy and the expansion of State Street during the holiday season. Mayor Kelly was correct; he started the biggest holiday purchasing period for State Street and Chicago.
The holiday parade continues to be about family, fun and shopping. You can discover more about the Chicago’s State Street holiday parade by reading the following titles.
Chicago's State Street Christmas Parade is a great read that focuses on the history of the parade, including a great photo timeline of events and places around the parade route.
Chicago Christmas: One Hundred Years of Christmas Memories is a true treasure that captures the essence of Christmas in Chicago. The book is written in the style of a timeline that dates back to 1900.
Christmas on State Street, 1940s and Beyond offers information about the Christmas parade on State Street and other historical places on the State Street route during Christmastime. The photos are magical and will give you ideas for new traditions or bring back memories of holidays on the street.
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