It is currently sponsored and broadcast by ABC owned-and-operated television station WPVI-TV, through a co-sponsorship agreement with restaurant chain Dunkin'.

It is currently the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, having been held through the Great Depression and World War II, and was created by Gimbels department store in 1920.

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, then took over sponsorship of the parade.

Swedish furniture manufacturer IKEA, which has a store and its North American home office in nearby Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, succeeded Boscov's as parade sponsor from that year until 2010.

[4] In addition to balloons and marching bands, the show features ABC Network celebrities, stars from stage and screen, Disney characters, and local personalities, including members of the Action News team.

[10] WPVI also broadcasts annual live coverage of Philadelphia's Pulaski, Columbus, and Puerto Rican parades.

Potato Head, Big Bird, Toy Train, Scooby-Doo, Twinkles the Snowman, Nutcracker, Turkey, Horton the Elephant, Elmo[11] Returning: Turkey, Cornucopia, Madeline, Scooby-Doo, 2 Gift Packages, Bugs Bunny, Fred Flintstone, Toy Train, 2 Gingerbread Men, Kermit the Frog[12] Returning: Cookie Monster, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Elmo, Pizzazz the Snowman, T-Rex, 2 Gift Packages, Turkey[13] Returning: Mr.

Conductor from Dinosaur Train, The Cat in the Hat, Horton, Nutcrackers[14] Returning: Red from Fraggle Rock, Garfield Santa, Strawberry Shortcake, Sam I Am from Green Eggs and Ham, Scooby-Doo, Mr.

Potato Head Fireman, Gift Boxes, Thomas the Tank Engine, The Grinch, My Little Pony[15] Returning: Olivia the Pig, T-Rex, Tasmanian Devil, Curious George, The Cat in the Hat, Mr.

Potato Head, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Bugs Bunny, The Grinch, Scooby-Doo, Daniel Tiger Returning: Bugs Bunny, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Daniel Tiger, Strawberry Shortcake, Gingerbread Man, Red from Fraggle Rock, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Pajanimals Returning: The Grinch, Thing 1, Thing 2, Hello Kitty.

Santa Claus, Brainy Smurf, Strawberry Shortcake, T-Rex, Daniel Tiger, Underdog, Pizzazz the Snowman[16] Returning: Fiddlesticks, Daniel Tiger, Rudolph, Turkey, Buddy the Dinosaur, Clifford the Big Red Dog, The Cat in the Hat, Cupcakes[17] Returning: Mr.

Potato Head Fireman, Pac-Man, Horton the Elephant, Magenta and Tartan Ornaments, Pizazz the Snowman, Red from Fraggle Rock, My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, Neon Gift Box, Smurfette Returning: Turkey, Fancy Holiday Bell, Gingersnap the Elf, Brainy Smurf, Tweety Bird, Tasmanian Devil, Holiday Wreath, Rudolph In addition to the well-known balloons and floats, the parade also features live music and other performances.

Other special guests include state and national beauty contest winners, cheerleaders of major sports teams, casts from musicals performing in Philadelphia, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

[26] The food drive distributes paper bags to residents' homes and collection boxes at local stores in the region.