Thankful for the Annual Thanksgiving Parade

A giant smiling pilgrim-hat-wearing ruffled feathered turkey sculpture adorned parade float and other whimsical themed floats stroll through Houston’s downtown streets. Supersized, high-flying balloon characters bounce past skyscrapers. The excitement grows with the drumbeating, horn-blowing marching bands with flashy dance teams strutting their stuff, followed by an array of spiffy vehicles, and lots of other crowd-pleasing surprises. It is officially time for the annual H-E-B Houston Thanksgiving Parade! 

One of the oldest Thanksgiving parades in America, Houstonians have been enjoying this special event for 74 years. Foley’s Department Store started it as a simple event in 1949. Santa rode the Missouri Pacific train to Union Station (where Minute Maid Park is now located), handing out candy to the kids and singing Christmas carols in front of the downtown store on Main Street. 

Foley’s and many of their employees continued to coordinate and grow the parade as their gift to Houston for 45 years. Thankfully, since 1995, other companies and groups, including the City of Houston Mayor’s Office, have kept the beloved Houston holiday institution rolling. 

Parade spectators enjoy seeing giant balloons of a gingerbread man and Clifford the Big Red Dog. (Photo: Richard Carson)

During the first four decades of the parade, notable grand marshals included Frank Sinatra (1966), Big Bird and Sesame Street stars: Gordon, Susan, Bob, and Mr. Hooper (1970), H.R. Pufnstuf (1972), stars of Happy Days: Henry “the Fonz” Winkler, Ron Howard, Anson Williams, and Ron Most (1974), stars from CHiPs Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox (1978), Leave It to Beaver’s Jerry Mathers (1989), Jerry Lewis (1990), and Charlton Heston (1992). And during the last 31 years, dozens of other national stars and Houston greats.

The 2023 Grand Marshal will be Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is finishing the last year of his administration. Co-grand marshals are Rockets legends, former Championship coach Rudy “Rudy T” Tomjanovich and Hall of Fame player Calvin Murphy. 

Staci Stalarow had fun being a cupcake in the Thanksgiving parade but said it was a challenge keeping on the headpiece because it was so windy that year. (Photo courtesy of Staci Stalarow)

Staci Stalarow is the proud granddaughter of Foley’s employee Marvin Stalarow. Marvin created the beautiful window displays for the downtown department store and was the brainchild behind the Thanksgiving Parade. Staci, who was born in 1979, has dear memories of dressing up to be in the parade. “When I was about five years old, I was a teddy bear. Over the years, I have been Mother Goose, a clown, a cupcake, an Oompa-Loompa, and many other characters! I loved dressing up in all the different costumes from Frankel’s Costume Company.” 

Staci continued, “My favorite costume was the pint-size reindeer, which was a bit smaller, and I am a little shorter so I could actually see! The most challenging was the turkey costume because the feet were like walking the entire parade route in flippers!” 

Bellaire resident Dania Downs Turner shared her experience marching in the parade with the Alief Hastings High School Golden Brigade Dance and Drill Team. “It was great to be part of the parade even though it was really cold that year. Our outfits were sleeveless, but we were not allowed to wear coats! And then it also rained! But we still had fun and was definitely memorable!” 

Attending the parade was a cherished treat for Katie Carlisle Gonzales. “It was always something my aunt and I did (it was our special thing)! Oh gosh, if I knew where my photos were! Such great memories.”

The 2023 parade fun begins at 9 a.m. on Thurs., Nov. 23, weaving through 20 city blocks, with an expected 250,000 spectators. 

The Houston Arabia Shriner Hot Rod Unit looks forward to zooming past the crowd in their flashy cars. (Photo: Don Savell)

The charming fez-wearing Houston Shriner, drivers of the local Arabia Shriners' Hot Rod Unit, will be there. Hot Rod Vice President Don Savell shared, “There is nothing like seeing the excitement from the kids in the crowd. A favorite memory was a young man that approached me after a parade and said, ‘I just want to thank y’all. As a kid, I was treated at the Shriners Hospital for Children, and I am forever grateful for the Shriners.’” 

Another Buzz-area group who will be performing in this year’s parade is the Stratford High School Band & Guard. Look for them right before Santa on the parade route. See all of this year’s parade participants and performers here. 

The Stratford High School Band Director, Christopher Yancey, said the band is honored and looks forward to being part of the Houston Thanksgiving Parade.

To enjoy the 2023 Houston Thanksgiving Parade in person, grab a folding chair and head downtown. Find the parade route here. Another option is to grab a remote control to watch the festivities on television. The parade will be broadcast and streamed by KHOU-11. 

Many thanks to all the 2023 participants, volunteers, and organizers who make this Houston holiday jewel happen every year! And a special turkey wink to those early parade pioneers. Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

Editor's note: Find more holiday events happening around town here.