What city has the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the US?

And the answer is ...

b) Philadelphia

Philly has New York beat, at least when it comes to Thanksgiving Parades; their festivities began four years earlier than NYC's iconic celebration. Originally run by the famous Gimbel's department store to attract holiday customers, it was the model for the Macy's parade, with floats, bands, and Santa Claus arriving at the end.

POGO Events wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving!

New York Trivia Tuesday

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of New York's most beloved traditions, one which began all the way back in 1924. But that doesn't make it the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the country - it's tied for second with Detroit's parade. What city can claim to have the oldest parade in honor of turkey day?

a) Boston, MA
b) Philadelphia, PA
c) Chicago, IL
d) Buffalo, NY

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question!

What Was the First Balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

And the answer is ...

b) Felix the Cat

Felix, the popular cartoon character of the 1920s, was the first character to be balloon-ified in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Marx Brothers, Uncle Sam, Mickey Mouse, and Superman would be introduced over the next 12 years. Bugs Bunny wasn't created until 1989. These days, several new balloons are premiered every year. In 2010, five new balloons will travel with the parade, including Kung Fu Panda and a character from the children's series Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

New York Trivia Tuesday

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was started in 1924, when employees of Macy's, many of whom were immigrants, wanted to celebrate the new holiday with the type of public festival that was a European tradition. Over 250,000 people attended the first parade, making it a huge success and establishing a tradition that continues today.

The parades of the first few years featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo, but in 1927 Macy's started to introduce balloons that would take the place of the animals. What was the first balloon created for the parade?

a) Mickey Mouse
b) Felix the Cat
c) Bugs Bunny
d) Superman

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question!

Best of New York: Thanksgiving Dinners

In a city of small kitchens and big restaurants, Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to dine out. You avoid the preparation and cleaning, and can spend more time with family and friends. Plus, New York restaurants have whipped up some special meals just for the occasion. If you’re wondering where to go this Thanksgiving, or accidentally burned the turkey, here are our suggestions:

Recette

If you’d prefer to be out of the kitchen for the Thanksgiving feast, there’s no better way to spend it than at one of 2010’s best new restaurants in NYC. The updated classics of French cuisine from the restaurant’s critically-acclaimed regular menu are available for diners on Thanksgiving, as well as their special for the holiday: a prix-fixe four-course menu featuring all the familiar flavors of fall, turned haut cuisine. Pumpkin soup, rabbit ravioli, and a chocolate-pecan tart with sweet potato ice cream all add to the main event: a confit turkey roulade stuffed with chestnuts and cranberries.

328 W 12th St, Manhattan; 212-414-3000

The Farm on Adderley

What better place to celebrate Thanksgiving than down on the farm? One of Ditmas Park’s favorite neighborhood restaurants, the Farm on Adderley is known for its food as much as for its rustic and friendly atmosphere. Their Thanksgiving menu, unlike most, offers several choices for each of the three courses, so any picky eater can find something to choose from. The turkey comes with all the fixings (Brussels sprouts, potatoes, stuffings and gravy), while vegetarian and pescatarian alternatives include sweet potato ravioli and poached halibut. We’re looking forward to the root beer cake: two amazing things in one!

1108 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn; 718-287-3101

Zabar’s

Want to have Thanksgiving at home, without the cooking hassle? New York’s legendary Zabar’s will bring the Thanksgiving meal right to your door (You can even reheat and pretend you made it yourself!). With numerous options for the main course, including turkey, goose, and duck, and dozens of sides and desserts, you can assemble the meal you’re craving online, then sit back, relax with family, and have all the feasting without any of the fussing. And while you're ordering, why not call ahead to reserve one of these best pies in New York?

2245 Broadway, Manhattan; 212-787-2000

Devi

Give your Thanksgiving an international spin at Devi, one of the city’s most renowned Indian restaurants. Offering a five-course prix fixe menu only on Thanksgiving day, the turkey here gets a punch from a tamarind glaze, and is served with masala corn bread and a cranberry chutney. Other dishes range from the exotic (harvest stew with tandoor grilled halibut) to the familiar (banana caramel pudding). One thing’s for sure: you won’t be missing your aunt’s boring mashed potatoes.
8 E 18th St, Manhattan; 212-691-1300

Torrisi Italian Specialties

After Thanksgiving, my family makes turkey sandwiches for lunch for the rest of the weekend. If you’re still craving leftover turkey after the big T-day celebrations, head over to Torrisi. Although they’re not open on Thanksgiving day, they’re well known for the best turkey sandwich in all of New York. Called the Panama, the sandwich is simple: just a little red onion, lettuce, tomato and a spicy sauce add to the turkey. But the meat is perfectly cooked, glazed with garlic and honey and roasted to perfection. Stop eating leftovers and pick up your order here to experience what a turkey sandwich should be about.

250 Mulberry St, Manhattan; 212-965-0955