Every year, hundreds of thousands of spectators gather along State Street, their eyes alight with wonder as the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade unfolds before them. Marching bands, inflatable balloons, performance groups displaying their international heritage, equestrian units, floats, sponsorship banners and more.
But behind this procession lies a meticulously coordinated effort beginning south of Ida B. Wells Drive in the parade staging area. Groups line up by type on different blocks, merging together in parade order through a coordinated effort reliant on volunteers.
“It’s coordinated forward-moving live theater with no dress rehearsals. Thousands of performers, external variables like weather and other things can come into play and cause challenges. Our staging and integration teams are the problem solvers that make set up the parade for success.”
Dan Mulka, Executive Director of the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Foundation and former Volunteer Cooridnator
THE BACKBONE OF THE STAGING AREA
Did you know that our integration captains are the unsung heroes, working hard to ensure a perfect start to the forward marching parade? Stationed throughout the staging area, these year-round volunteers are the nerve center of parade operations, equipped with clipboards and an in-depth understanding of the parade’s intricacies.
“I love being in the mix as everything comes together to become the broadcast parade. It’s such a great feeling standing among the units as they energetically make their way up State Street to the TV Zone. It’s fun recognizing the units that come every year and exciting to see new additions to the parade as well. The fantastic team of volunteers in staging makes the parade look seamless on TV.”
Cheryl Wyskup – 25-year Parade Veteran
Each captain works with several staging volunteers on the day of the event. These staging volunteers oversee lining-up parade units, relaying key information to those units, and working to keep all the units in order as they process frm their initial staging location to the integration zone.
These volunteers are also our eyes into any potential issues. Sometimes a float breaks down and needs to be repaired. Sometimes a group is stuck in traffic and has not shown up yet. And, yes, sometimes, a group may no-show. It does not happen often, but it does. The staging volunteers relay the problem to our integration captains.
“It is such a rewarding feeling to see the excitement and enthusiasm in the faces of the volunteers, the members of each parade unit and, most of all, the crowds that line State Street.” – Anton Eleazar (16-year parade veteran)
And, if a problem affects the overall lineup, it is the integration captain’s job to relay the issue to our step off captain.
THE FINAL CHECK
Our final check is done by Step Off Captain Stephanie Thomas, a long-time Parade Volunteer Leadership Board member and former intern for the parade. She and another volunteer have the full-length TV zone parade order and ensures that every banner and unit is in the correct forward marching position.
Stephanie makes the final call on how to fix any potential issues that make it to the checkpoint. Whether its having a group “step to the side” if it’s out of order, pausing the march while a wayward banner rushes to its proper spot, or relaying key updates to the television producer – allowing for any last second changes to the order of the script and television graphics.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
As the parade concludes, Santa Claus makes his grand entrance with a Chicago Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit escort. Our integration and staging teams ensure a smooth transition back to normalcy, carefully managing the space between the last float and the dispersing crowd. Once Santa Claus crosses Ida B Wells Drive, the block marshals take the reins and guide Santa Claus down State to the TV zone.
“The show must go on. And our staging and integration team comes together with that mantra, we figure out any issue and we make it work. And the reward is at the end when Santa and Mrs. Claus officially start toward TV. We will all look at the hundreds of thousands or people on State Street and know how we played a vital part.”
Stephanie Thomas (16-year volunteer)
WE NEED YOU
The heart and success of the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade lie in the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers. Every individual, whether they’re working behind the scenes in Staging and Integration or taking on various other roles, plays a critical part in bringing this celebration to life.
The operations in the staging and integration zones require the support of about 30 volunteers. This is your opportunity to join the team and make a significant impact. As a volunteer in this area, you’ll interact with a diverse group of people, acting as an essential link between performers and parade organizers. Expect a fast-paced environment that’s filled with fun. Note that volunteers must be 12 years old or older by the day of the parade and can expect to traverse two miles on parade morning.
This is more than just volunteering; it’s an opportunity to create unforgettable Thanksgiving memories for yourself, without missing your family dinner, and for the countless attendees and the millions tuning in from home via Pluto TV.
Visit https://www.chicagothanksgivingparade.com/be-a-volunteer/ to apply today!
