Delicious meals, turkey trots and football games may take the spotlight on Thanksgiving, but there's one tradition that always seems to capture the excitement of the beginning of the holiday season. The annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade marched down State Street on Thursday, filled with marching bands, costumed performers and some gigantic inflatable versions of cartoon characters. If you were stuck at home preparing a turkey dinner instead of cheering from the sidewalk, take a look at some of the most exciting scenes from the parade.
RECOMMENDED: Our guide to Thanksgiving in Chicago
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery
Photograph: Jordan Avery