ABC13 celebrates the 76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- ABC13 is proud to host the 76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade rolling through downtown Houston!

ABC13 morning anchors Rita Garcia and Samica Knight hosted the parade on Thanksgiving.

"For more than seven decades, Houston families have gathered downtown on Thanksgiving morning to celebrate community, gratitude, and holiday cheer," said Mayor John Whitmire.

This year's parade had not one, but four Grand Marshals - Houston's beloved sports mascots! Clutch, Diesel, Orbit and Toro led the parade route.

There were several musical performances from all different genres, with something for everyone to enjoy on Thanksgiving Day! Christian music star Danny Gokey performed on the KSBJ float, while rising country star Payton Howie performed on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo float. Houston native Kam Franklin, lead singer of The Suffers, also performed Thanksgiving morning.

Houston's inaugural Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1949 when Santa arrived at Union Station and rode his sleigh to the downtown Foley's department store. This year, the parade began on Smith at Lamar, headed north to Walker, east to Milam, south to Pease, west to Louisiana, north to Clay, west to Smith, and north ending at Smith and Dallas.

The Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is free and open to the public. If you missed it, you can watch the full parade in the video player above.

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