Or was it called the Thanksgiving Day Parade? Either way, we were up early. Got bundled up in clothes equal to our body weight looking like miniatures of the Michelin Man or the Pillsbury Dougboy. Loaded in the car with thermos jugs full of hot chocolate, chairs and blankets. Foud a place to park and got settled into whatever good spot we could find by about 7AM even though the parade was two hours away. Tried to get near Hudson's if we could. Spent some time checking out the store windows and displays.

Crowds continued to gather and squeeze their way in. No shoving. No cussing or fighting. Ended up elbow to elbow from curb to building for several blocks up Woodward.

Floats were decorated to the theme, not for any causes or functions. Bands actually marched instead of shucking and jiving. You could recognize the music and sing along.

Finally the old geezer got there and waddled up onto the balcony or stage or whatever it was in front of Hudson's and did his thing.

Then we made a beeline for the car and tried to hot foot it out of town and beat the traffic.

In the following days, we'd hit Hudson's again and spend all day on the 12th floor [[I think) in the Christmas village while the parents shopped.