Chicago Thanksgiving Parade marches down State Street

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thanksgiving festivities took over a packed State Street on a brisk Thursday morning for the 90th annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade.

"We're starting to get cold," Chris Janick from Leland, Illinois, said. "We actually came out last night got a hotel room and wanted to see this parade."

The annual parade is unifying people from across the city and around the country...this holiday season - a unique celebration of music and culture - in the heart of the Loop.

"I really think it's the way all the cultural groups come to perform," parade-goer Ashley Berry said. " I just love all the colors and all the diversity we have. It feels like a really good showcase of all Chicago has to offer."

Marching bands from across the country took over State Street along with musical performances and dances.

Nayeli Lopez traveled all the way from South Texas to perform.

"We are very, very excited. It's an honor to represent our Mexican culture and Laredo, Texas," Lopez said.

Others like Riley Dominiak is from the Chicago-area representing Musical Theater Works.

"I've never performed in the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, so this is a fun little moment I get to have," Riley Dominiak said.

Ringing in the Thanksgiving holiday, one step and layer at a time.

"I'm just trying to move a little bit to stay warm because I can't feel my feet right now," Parade-goer Jazminne Jara said.

The big man himself, Santa Claus, also made an appearance before he returns on December 25.