Best Buy’s Thanksgiving Parade Promises Fun, Entertainment, Excitement and Santa

Best Buy’s Thanksgiving Parade showcases spectacular floats, gigantic balloons, and marching bands to welcome in the holiday season. The annual parade takes place on Saturday, November 19 at 11 a.m. The parade steps off at the intersection of Pratt and Eutaw streets, continues east on Pratt Street and disbands at Pratt Street and Market Place. The reviewing stand moves to a new location at Pratt and Gay streets. The emcees are Lauren Thompson from Magic 95.9 and a DJ from 92Q. The parade is presented by Mayor Martin O’Malley, produced by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, and sponsored by Best Buy Stores, Radio One, AAA Mid-Atlantic, Inc., The Big Bus Company, and Starbucks Coffee Company.

This year, the parade has intriguing new additions to the holiday celebration. Childhood favorites, Winnie-the-Pooh, Robin Hood, Charlotte’s Web, and Annie are joining the parade with the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland. The Ballet Folklórico “México Vivo” unifies all cultures and celebrates their uniqueness by bringing women of all ages and nationalities together to perform traditional Mexican dances. Equestrian units include The Zydeco Cowboyz with 20 horseback riders galloping to zydeco and Creole music and the Shining Eye Persherons with the special breed of working horses.

In addition, the holiday parade features marching bands from the community and area schools, cheerleaders, dance troupes, floats, and contributions from area museums, elaborate costumes and more. The Clown Corps’ volunteer clowns, jugglers, and magicians clown around in their funny, colorful, costumes with bright make-up to entertain the parade-goers. The Salvation Army is featuring their Emergency Disaster Canteen float with the help of the Boys and Girls Club. The Night of 100 Elvises return with their annual tribute to the king of rock and roll. The Edmondson Village Steppers represents Baltimore at several events along the East Coast, but they are never to busy to make an appearance at Best Buy’s Thanksgiving Parade. 

The parade marches to a different drum with a new appearance by Spotsylvania High School from

Virginia and Baltimore’s own Polytechnic Institute and Western Senior High School. Additional participating bands include the Baltimore Westsiders Marching Band, Dulaney High School, North County High School, Stephen Decatur High School and Edmondson-Westside High School.

To conclude the procession, Santa Claus arrives in a corvette led by a Geek Squad caravan via Pratt Street spreading holiday cheer. He cruises through the city and makes himself at home at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater. After the parade, children can stop by Santa's Place, coordinated by Harborplace & The Gallery, to sit on his lap, share their holiday wishes, and have their picture taken. 

For more information about the Best Buy's Thanksgiving Parade, call 1-877-BALTIMORE