Get ready to gobble up some fun, Houston. The city is rolling out its 75th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade with a cornucopia of local celebs, floats, and fanfare. Scheduled for Thursday, November 28, the parade is set to kick-off at 9 a.m. with an expected throng of Houstonians lining the streets to sip in the holiday spirit and cheer on the stunning procession.
Leading the parade this year will be none other than nine-time Olympic gold medalist, Carl Lewis, taking on the role of grand marshal amidst great fanfare and celebration. Houston will be honoring its own Olympians, paying tribute to those who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. According to a City of Houston statement, our local heroes will be met with well-deserved recognition and no small measure of the parade limelight.
Something special is being promised to the parade-goers this year. "The Olympians will be joining us in the parade. We will add 19 colorful and unique floats made right here in Houston, 20 plus high-flying balloons, six marching bands, and numerous special performers," Lisa Helfman, H-E-B’s managing director of public relations, told KHOU 11. Floats and balloons, considerably vibrant and lofty, will animate the route from Lamar and Smith, concluding at Dallas and Smith.
For parade enthusiasts eager to snag an exceptional vantage point, premium seating is available at the price of $28.25. However, don't fret if you're watching your wallet; the event is cheerfully free for those wishing to embrace Houston's mild November weather on lawn chairs. Touted to traverse more than 20 city blocks, the parade will not only be accessible to those perched along the route, but also to homebodies, with live broadcasts being promised on KHOU 11, KHOU 11+, and various social media sites.
