America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration and Parade

PLYMOUTH, Mass. - Nov. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration has been rated one of the top destinations for families at Thanksgiving.  Drawing an attendance of 200,000 people, it offers a family friendly environment with much to do for adults and children of all ages.  This year our theme is Heroes Past and Present featuring Wampanoags, Pilgrims, Patriots and modern day heroes from all walks of life.  A special appearance of Abraham Lincoln commemorates the 150^th anniversary of the Proclamation that gave us our national holiday will also take place.

         There are free historic tours of the waterfront on Friday afternoon, and then a free Veteran memorial concert in the evening.  The concert features Hero Art by Rob Surette, three sisters called Letters from Home, and the Edwards Twins, hosted by our own Channel 5 Eye-opener team from Boston.

         On Saturday morning the opening ceremonies at 10:30 will feature the Pilgrim ceremonial candle lighting – this year. The parade, a chronological visual historic story, is put together similar to the first parades of the Middle Ages.  Each division in our parade generally represents a century.  We begin by honoring Wampanoag natives and the first Pilgrim settlers, including a scale model of the Mayflower.

         The floats in our parade are unique.  Designed and personally hand crafted by volunteers, they embrace a standard of excellence in craftsmanship.  The finished product floats by the thousands who come to view this visual history book, providing an educational experience.  This year our heroes past and present will feature Native Americans, Pilgrims, Patriots from Massachusetts who helped win our Independence, Abraham Lincoln, Nathaniel Morton, Calvin Coolidge, and John F. Kennedy.  It will culminate with Boston Strong – some of the heroes of April 15 this year, as well as our beloved Red Sox.  In addition, traditional floats that provide an historic and seasonal ambiance, like the Turkeys, Victorian carolers and Saint Nicholas will still come down the street!

         Following the parade, you can wander in the historic village, striking up conversations with historic heroes past, asking Natives, Pilgrims, Patriots, Abraham Lincoln and others any questions you like.  In addition, visit The Hannaford  Supermarkets New England Food Festival filled with the best samples from restaurants in our area, and do some early shopping from the craft and vendors.  After you’ve seen them in our parade, visit the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses and buy your ticket (while they last) for the annual Senior Drum and Bugle Corps reunion concert on Saturday night.

         On Sunday a special Pilgrim Progress will take place with a recreated Pilgrim Sabbath at 8:30 in the historic village, followed by the annual Makepeace Farms Harvest Market.  The Market includes a full day of bluegrass complimented by local farmers and food makers selling and sampling their products.  Sunday also includes ongoing activities in the Children’s Learning Pavilion and the Crafters Pavilion.   You may still catch a glimpse or pay a visit to Abraham Lincoln in the afternoon before he returns to Springfield, Illinois!  All in all, you will experience Americana at its best, and leave feeling grateful for the blessings of heroes past and present this year at Thanksgiving!