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CHICAGO, Illinois. (November, 16 2007) – Nothing says "Thanksgiving in Chicago" like the sight of a 45-foot Elmo floating above the city's historic State Street.  Elmo and his giant inflatable friends have been undeniable crowd favorites since their debut in Chicago's 1998 Thanksgiving Parade. 

In recent years, the Chicago parade has debuted more recognizable character balloons than any other parade in the country.  The only Chicago parade to feature giant, inflatable character balloons on an annual basis, this year's McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade will feature seven of the beloved behemoths, the majority of which are being sponsored by CNH (Case New Holland).

Among the five giant inflatables presented by CNH will be notable newcomers Popeye, the Cookie Monster and Big Bird, along with perennial favorites Elmo and Bear in the Big Blue House.

A first time supporting sponsor of the McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade, CNH, a Fiat Group Company headquartered in Burr Ridge, Ill., is a world leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses.  CNH brands represented in the parade will be Case IH Agriculture, New Holland Agriculture, Case Construction, New Holland Construction and Kobelco Construction.

"CNH doesn't take a back seat to anyone in our businesses," said Gualberto Ranieri, VP of Global Communications for CNH, "and certainly the same can be said for Chicago's own McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade.  We welcome this chance to be a part of such a storied Chicago tradition, and to help keep the parade's beloved character balloons flying high."

The 2007 McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade will step off at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 22, on State Street at Congress Parkway and run north to Randolph Street.  WGN-TV9 and WGN-DT 9.1 will air the parade live and in high definition from 9 to 11 a.m. CT.  Superstation WGN will also broadcast the parade nationally to approximately 72 million cable homes, establishing it as one of only three parades in the country to be covered live, in its entirety, on a national television broadcast. 

For more information about the McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade, contact Chicago Festivals Association at (312) 235-2217 or log on to www.chicagofestivals.org.