Photo by Amy Cherry Tappers from April School of Dance will be performing at the 90th Annual ABC6/IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday on ABC Channel 23. The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at noon. Shown in the top row from left to right are Nicole Holland, Ellie McGowan, Tara Pontious, Kaitlin Yankovich and Jensine Coudriet and in the front row Rachel Keller, Katelyn Quinn, Abby Lampman, Rebecca Aloi, Madison Yankovich.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

Dancers from throughout the area are among the many cast members featured in this year’s 90th edition of the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The tappers are students at April School of Dance in St. Marys and are part of the opening number slated to air at 9 a.m. and again at 10:57 a.m. as part of the FanTAPulous group performance. Performances will take place in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Coverage of the parade will air on ABC Channel 23 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at noon.

For the past several months the 10 local dancers have been polishing their routine set to the music of  Disney’s “High School Musical.”

Dancers and their families departed this morning at 9 a.m. for the city of brotherly love. Prior to the parade practices are scheduled for 7:30 tonight and 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

Other regional groups performing in the parade include students from Kathy’s School of Dance in Curwensville and choirs members from Mercyhurst Preparatory in Erie.

In addition three Elk County Catholic High School musicians were chosen to perform with the Tournament of Bands All-Star Band, with members spanning across the Mid-Atlantic region. The TOB Band is just one of 12 bands featured in the parade.

Among the varied parade performers are dancers, choirs, clowns, marching bands, cheerleaders, baton twirlers, flag teams and skaters.

This year’s new parade route will travel along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City.

Special guests making appearances in the 6 ABC/IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia include Sam Champion from Good Morning America, Bobbie Eakes from All My Children, Mark Indelicato from Ugly Betty, singer Jason Derulo, Miss America 2008, American Idol finalist Kimberly Caldwell, Nuttin’ But Stringz from America’s Got Talent, cast of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, cast of “Oliver,” singer Sheila E, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2010, singer Bianca Ryan, Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show and the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders.

A myriad of floats will roll along the route such as those themed; Bountiful Harvest, music float, a patriotic showboat, a gazebo float featuring Disney characters, Adventure Aquarium’s Under the Sea, a globe float featuring the Clique Girlz, Christmas presents, Santa, an alien float, a snowman family, Candy Land featuring characters from Sesame Place and ‘A Kitten’s Christmas.’

Once again the famous oversized balloons featured in the parade range from Tom the Turkey, Horton from Dr. Seuss, Cornucopia, Garfield as a pilgrim, Kermit the Frog, Mr. Potato Head, My Little Pony, Bear in the Big Blue House, Twinkles the Snowman, Super Grover, Elmo, holiday gifts and two new balloons for 2009 a Gingerbread boy and a holiday ornament.