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It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the US – a time of feasting, family, and just being thankful for everything. Every fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday rooted in gratitude and tradition. It is one of the biggest holidays in the country; a day where everyone takes a break, schools and businesses close up shop, and families get together for a massive feast.
Thanksgiving in Philly is a full-on feast as the City of Brotherly Love is enveloped in the aroma of roasting turkeys. And let’s not forget the family gatherings, the laughter, and the love. The city offers a unique blend of tradition and local flavor. From the succulent turkey to the pumpkin pie, every dish and ritual has a story to tell.
Every year as we head into this beloved holiday, many take comfort in family traditions. But have you ever stopped to wonder where these Thanksgiving traditions came from? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and uncover the stories behind some of your favorite Thanksgiving foods and rituals.
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade
You can’t have Thanksgiving without a parade. The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest of its kind in the country and has been a city tradition since 1920 when it began. Its story begins with the Gimbel Brothers Department Store. Ellis Gimbel, one of the founding brothers of the department store imagined the parade as a clever marketing tool. Traditionally, the parade began at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and moved down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before concluding at the Gimbels department store on Eighth and Market Streets. The first parade was made up of only fifty Gimbels employees.
Boscov’s, a family-owned department store based in Reading, Pennsylvania, and WPVI (6abc), the ABC affiliate in Philadelphia, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company, took over sponsorship of the parade when Batus Inc., which then owned Gimbels, was unable to find a buyer for the store in 1986. They renamed the event as the 6abc Boscov’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Image source – Instagram/visitphilly
In 2008, Boscov’s Department Stores had financial problems and gave up sponsorship of the parade. Swedish furniture manufacturer IKEA succeeded Boscov as parade sponsor from that year until 2010. In June 2011, Dunkin’ Donuts announced that they would sponsor the parade. Now known as the 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, it has grown to a festival of floats, balloons, and high school marching bands that draws thousands of spectators annually. Its popularity spurred other cities and stores, including Macy’s in New York City, to start their own annual Thanksgiving Day parades based on Gimbels’ prototype.
Turkey Trots
What better way to start Thanksgiving than with a quick run at the local Turkey Trot? The inaugural trot took place in 1896 in Buffalo, New York. It was an eight-kilometer race hosted by the YMCA; six people participated, and only four finished. The race which has been held every single year since then picked up steam in the early 1900s, and has spread to different cities across the country, including Philadelphia. Many Americans wake up early on Thanksgiving morning to participate in fun runs which double as a fundraiser and attract over 14,000 runners annually. Proceeds from the PHLY Turkey Trot benefit Face to Face, an organization that works to relieve poverty and loneliness throughout Philadelphia.
Image source: Instagram/danapointturkeytrot
Thanksgiving Dinner
No Thanksgiving is complete without a lavish spread of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, and pumpkin pie. But where did these foods originate?
The origins of Thanksgiving trace back to 1621 when the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast. While the exact menu of the first Thanksgiving feast is not well-documented, it’s clear that turkey wasn’t the star of the show. How the turkey became the star of the Thanksgiving table every November remains a historical puzzle, but historians have a few different theories.
It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that turkey became the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast, thanks to the efforts of the writer and editor Sarah Josepha Hale, who campaigned for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday. She became known as the “mother of Thanksgiving.” Her efforts led to President Abraham Lincoln declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, solidifying the turkey’s place on American tables.
Today, turkey is the undisputed king of Thanksgiving dinner. Its preparation, whether roasted, fried, or smoked, has become a beloved tradition. Stuffing vegetables and dairy products into the turkey was a clever way to give it more flavor and nutrients. Marketers may have shaped many of the rituals of the holiday. We also have cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and other important dishes on the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Football as a Thanksgiving Ritual
In the United States, football has become an integral part of the Thanksgiving holiday. The annual NFL games on Thanksgiving Day have become a beloved tradition. They are often the most broadcasted NFL matches next to the Superbowl championships.
This Thanksgiving tradition began back in 1876, when the Intercollegiate Football Association began hosting their championship game on the holiday. But it didn’t begin to pick up steam until 1880. By the 1890s, many college and high school teams played on the holiday. It wasn’t until 1934 that Thanksgiving football took off when the Detroit Lions hosted the powerhouse Chicago Bears in a Thanksgiving game broadcast nationally. By the 1970s, Thanksgiving games had become a cornerstone of the NFL season.
Image source: Instagram/NFL
Today, many Americans enjoy Thanksgiving football. Before indulging in a feast, families and friends gather to cheer on their favorite teams and burn off some pre-meal calories. From the roar of the crowd to the thrill of the game, football adds a special energy to Thanksgiving. As long as there are football fields and families eager to celebrate, this tradition will continue to thrive.
Whether you’re a Philly native or a visitor, Thanksgiving in the City of Brotherly Love offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a football enthusiast, a food lover, or simply someone who enjoys spending time with loved ones, there’s something for everyone.
This Thanksgiving, as you spend time with loved ones, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and traditions that have shaped this cherished holiday. As you indulge in a delicious meal and share stories with family and friends, remember to give thanks for the many blessings in your life. Let’s eat, drink, and be thankful!
