This year’s parade boasted more participants than ever before. (Photo by Betsy Allen)

For almost a hundred years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a beloved holiday tradition. While the Town of Bancroft’s Thanksgiving parade has only been in existence for three years, it may very well become a time-honored tradition one day. Outside of fitness promotions at local gyms or the occasional 5K walk/run, the parade is one of the few events in Putnam County held on Thanksgiving Day.

The Bancroft Thanksgiving Parade began in 2020. Due to the COVID pandemic and the need for social distancing, many towns throughout the country started holding small neighborhood parades to bring cheer to those stuck at home. Around ten people participated in the first Bancroft parade, with that amount doubling for the second parade. The event has grown again this year, with twenty-five to thirty people participating.

The 2022 Bancroft Thanksgiving Parade was led by the Bancroft Volunteer Fire Department. Wishing residents a happy Thanksgiving with greetings and waves, participants walked, rode bikes, or drove golf carts or UTV’s. Councilwoman Bethany Adkins, who was one of the founders of the parade, stopped in front of homes to do a tap dance routine. Delegate Kathie Hess Crouse participated in the parade, making her the first elected official other than members of the mayor and members of the town council to be part of the event.

The parade route was over a half mile long and took a meandering course through the streets of Bancroft. As the procession passed by houses, people would stand on their front porches and wave back. Events such as these bring a lot of happiness to the elderly and those who have difficulty getting out, because they can watch from their windows.

Bancroft is looking forward to the 2023 parade, which is hoped to be the biggest yet with even more community participation.