Dallas’ Holiday Road

In 1987, the Adolphus Hotel and Children’s Medical Center celebrated their 75th anniversaries. To thank Dallas for their success, they proposed a parade for the next year to launch the holiday season. To their surprise, the first event, on December 3, drew about 70,000 people. The event became known as the “Miracle on Commerce Street.” The tradition has grown, and they claim it is now one of the largest in the country. (It’s also syndicated on TV to more than 100 million households across the United States.) The 28th annual Dallas Children’s Health Holiday Parade will feature large balloons, bands, drill teams, floats, movie characters (Princess Leia and Boba Fett have marched together peaceably in parades past), and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus. This year’s event happens December 5 at 10 am, but you’ll probably want to stake out a spot earlier. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 400,000 spectators will be joining you.