PCS stands out in McDonald’s parade

BY A STAFF WRITER

CHICAGO (IL) — The Punjabi Cultural Society (PCS) of Chicago kept up its tradition of participating in the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade held on Thanksgiving Day on November 27 on State Street in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Despite the freezing cold weather, diehard PCS members in ethnic costumes Achkan, Kurta Pajama and Lehnga Choli actively participated in the grand procession.

The parade started with a performance from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in front of Macy’s as millions watched from across the country.

Celebrating its 81st year, the McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade is the biggest parade in Chicago and the city’s premier holiday event.

This colorful procession of more than 100 units consisting of giant helium balloons, remarkable floats representing many cultures and organizations, 23 high school marching bands, equestrian units, unique performance groups, and celebrities made their way down State Street marching North from Congress to Randolph to kick off the holiday season.

The lineup included 2014 grand marshal Rock Star Dee Snider featuring his Rock & Roll Christmas Tale, with Ronald McDonald as the honorary grand marshal.

Some of the honored guests included the Jackie Robinson West Little League national champions on the Big Red Shoe float, the “Chicago Fire” soccer team’s Yuri Sardarov and the Hollywood Palms Cinema presenting Karolyn Grimes from “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Beside the floats, Mercedes-Benz of Chicago featured a caravan of red and white Mercedes vehicles riding down State street.

“PCS is proud to be participating in this parade since 2005. It gives our Indian Punjabi community great exposure in the mainstream, and it shows our commitment to celebrate the American festivals, in solidarity with the American people,” said PCS president Pardeep Singh Deol.

“The theme of the PCS float and its contingent was an Indian Maharaja wedding procession (Baraat), which included the bride and the groom in traditional Punjabi wedding outfits, the baraatis in festive ethnic costumes, Punjabi Dhol (drum), amplified Bhangra music, street dancing and interaction with spectators,” said Rajinder Singh Mago, PCS Board of Governors.