Americans marked Thanksgiving on Thursday with parades full of music and color, a helping hand for the poor and the comfort and joy of gathering with family and friends.

The 76th annual Macy’s parade in New York City featured a dozen marching bands, the debut of a Charlie Brown balloon and the return of Kermit the Frog after a 12-year absence. The lighthearted tone was in contrast with a more patriotic display last year after the Sept. 11 attacks.

“I’m 67 years old and it’s been a dream of my life to come to see the parade. My dream has come true,” said Gloria Aponte, who traveled to New York from San Juan, Puerto Rico, with her family.

But fun and pageantry were only part of the holiday scene.

In Atlanta, Everlena Baugh used to volunteer for the annual Hosea Feed the Homeless and Hungry Thanksgiving Dinner. On Thursday – thanks to a layoff five months ago – she was on the other side of the serving line, hoping that the dinner would bring good cheer and the event’s job placement service will help her, too.

“The economy is way down,” said Baugh, who is not homeless but needs a job to keep up with her bills. “You’ve got to do the best you can to make ends meet. You’re pounding the pavement to try to find work.”

The holiday was a huge undertaking for the 4,000 volunteers who helped put on the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner in San Antonio. They had worked since Sunday to prepare 400 turkeys, 6,000 pounds of yams, 7,000 pounds of green beans and about 8,000 pounds of stuffing for 25,000 people in need.