The rookie comics slapped high-fives with toddlers, hugged elderly women, and giggled as they were showered in Silly String.
With moderate fall temperatures and a clear sky, hundreds thronged JFK Boulevard and the Ben Franklin Parkway to watch baton twirlers, glittery floats, and bobbing balloons. The Garfield balloon popped during inflation, but otherwise the celebration went off without a hitch.
For Zion and his other clowning friends, it was their first time in a parade. The children, ages 10 to 15, belong to an afterschool mentorship program, U.S. Dream Academy, an organization with branches in 10 cities.
Many of the students in the Philadelphia program come from single-parent households; often, one parent is incarcerated, said Lavarr Zuber, director of the program in Philadelphia.
But on Thursday, the children, who usually talk to their volunteer mentors about homework or setting goals, had a chance to goof off in front of an adoring crowd.
Amin White, 13, of South Philadelphia, watched the girls line up with a high school band along 20th Street as his group walked to the starting point of the parade.
"When I wash this makeup off, I'm going to talk to some cheerleaders," he said, smiling. "What? I'm single."
When they reached the corner of JFK and 20th and saw the crowd - five people deep in some places - lining the street, some of them looked stunned.
The four mentors who herded the children into position helped them get over their stage fright once the procession began.
Marcus Bazemore, 23, an assistant counselor at World Communications Charter School in Southwest Center City, dashed from left to right, dancing, posing for pictures, and yelling, "Happy Thanksgiving!" as the crowd cheered.
