Students march during the 2012 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Song Qiong)

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Thanksgiving Day parade enlivens fourth largest U.S. city

HOUSTON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 63rd annual Thanksgiving Parade rolled through downtown Houston on Thursday morning, kicking off the holiday season in the fourth largest city of the United States.

Parade viewers gathered along city blocks to see the parade's five giant helium-filled balloons, seven grand and intricate floats, and about 7,000 school band musicians, marching drill and dance teams and other participants. Full story

Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade serves as therapy to uplift New York spirit

NEW YORK, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Hunreds of thousands of people lined the streets of New York City Thursday to watch the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which is seen as a joyous occasion to lift a storm weary city into the holiday spirit.

The parade sets out at 9 AM from 77th and Central Park West with more than 3 million people in attendance and another 50 million watching on TV. This year, some new characters have been added to Macy's lineup of giant balloons, including Elf on a Shelf and Papa Smurf and a new version of Hello Kitty.  Full story

Performers march during the 2012 McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping)

A girl waves to spectators in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

A brass band walks on the street in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

Performers dressed in traditional Mexican costumes march during the 2012 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Song Qiong)

People march with horse cubs during the 2012 McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping)

Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker rides a horse during the 2012 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Song Qiong)

The Mickey Mouse balloon floats in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

The Shelf Elf balloon is first shown in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

The SpoongeBob SquarePants balloon floats in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

The Spiderman balloon floats in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

The Kong Fu Panda balloon floats in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

The new version of Hello Kitty balloon floats in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)

A huge balloon flies during the 2012 McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping)

The Papa Smurf balloon is first shown in the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 22, 2012. More than three million people gather along the street on Thursday, to attend the annual Macy's parade which began in 1924. (Xinhua/Deng Jian)