Parade of the Big Balloons brings holiday excitement to Downtown

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Cat in the Hat, along with his big balloon companions dazzled thousands along Springfield's main street Friday morning.

Families filled the streets from Downtown to the South End for the day-after-Thanksgiving extravaganza that is the Parade of the Big Balloons.

The parade has been an institution in Springfield since the late 1980’s, and many people come year after year.

Steve Blake of Springfield told 22News that he used to bring his kids to the parade. Now, he brings his grandchildren.

“We've been coming ever since the kids were little,” Blake said. ”I think we came to every one of them.”

One parade-goer told 22News that New York has its Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, we have our Parade of the Big Balloons

“We can't make the (Macy’s) parade; too far away, and it's so great to have this and you know, and enjoy the balloons, enjoy the beautiful day today,” Zeke Fernandez of Springfield said.

Sarah Williams of Springfield explained why she came to the parade.

“Just for the kids to really have fun just to look at the different balloons,” she said.

So, whether you were there for the first time or were a longtime parade-goer, you witnessed downtown Springfield come alive the day after Thanksgiving.