Houston has plucked out its annual parade amid pandemic concerns.
For the past 71 years, a cornucopia of cars, floats, and festive Houstonians have paraded down the streets of downtown in celebration of Thanksgiving. Due to the surging coronavirus cases across the county and state, the fall tradition will not be taking place this year.
“Due to COVID-19, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events will not produce the 2020 H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, the first cancellation in the event’s 71-year history,” the Mayor’s Office wrote on its official website. “While this year’s parade will go dark, we are thankful for all that Houston has to offer and look forward to planning a spectacular 2021 parade.”
That said, many local facilities are still finding ways to celebrate the spirit of the holiday. This Saturday, November 18, H-E-B is handing out Thanksgiving dinners to up to 5,000 families at NRG Stadium, as well as up to 250,000 masks.
“In lieu of this year’s parade, we will instead host the H-E-B Family Thanksgiving Distribution on Saturday, November 21, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., or until product has been depleted. The distribution will include groceries for preparing your own Thanksgiving Feast! Only one per car.”
Prior to distributing meals and masks, Houston is recruiting volunteers to package boxes at the Houston Food Bank. Register here.
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