While millions of Americans took to the road to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, thousands of Houstonians will start the holiday season with a trip downtown for the annual HEB Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Float creator Jonathon Bertuccelli has been involved in the parade since the 1980’s. He tells our TV partner KPRC Channel-2 this year’s floats created special challenges:
“Everything has curves, you know, it’s all fantasy kind of Dr. Seuss-type stuff. All this has to be done, had (to be) made and created from scratch.”
The 69-year old holiday tradition started in 1949, when Santa arrived at Union Station and paraded to the downtown Foley’s. Here’s a link to today’s parade route: https://www.houstontx.gov/thanksgivingparade/2018-TDP-Route.pdf
The City Wide Club is also hosting its annual Super Feast at the George R. Brown Convention Center. An estimated 20,000 people will be able to get a hot meal and take advantage of some basic services from medical examinations to food baskets, clothing, toys, and even haircuts.
"So many of Houston's neighbors were devastated by Harvey. People who used to volunteer are coming to eat," said Tomaro Bell, the MacGregor Super Neighborhood chair who works with City Wide Club.
Millions of others will enjoy a meal at home, but beware of what’s on the dinner table. Several recalls may affect your menu. The Jennie-O company recently recalled 90,000 pounds of ground turkey meat over salmonella concerns. The CDC also issued a nationwide warning about the dangers of romaine lettuce, linked to dozens of e-coli illnesses in at least 11 states.
After your meal (and the unavoidable nap!), there is a full day of NFL football on TV. The day starts with the Bears at the Lions at 11:30am. That will be followed by the Redskins and Cowboys in Dallas, kicking off at 3:30. The evening will wrap up with the Falcons and Saints from New Orleans starting at 7:20.