It was Oct. 3, 1789 when President George Washington issued the first proclamation designating Nov. 26, 1789 as America’s first national day of thanksgiving.

According to the website for his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, Washington declared that such a day was necessary to give thanks for the Almighty’s care of Americans before the Revolution, assistance to them in achieving their independence and help in establishing the constitutional government. Washington observed the day by attending church in New York City and by donating beer and food to local imprisoned debtors.

At the time, he could have never predicted how much the holiday weekend would grow to include hours of eating, watching football, Black Friday shopping, parades, turkey trots and napping.

Eric Church will be in Dallas to kick off the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign at halftime when the Dallas Cowboys host the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Previous Red Kettle Kickoff halftime performers include Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez and Destiny’s Child.

At least five country acts will be in New York City for the the 90th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year including Kelsea Ballerini, Easton Corbin, Brett Eldredge, Miranda Lambert and Maddie & Tae.

This is Eldredge’s second time riding a float in the event. His first trip down the parade route was in 2013. Florida Georgia Line also sang “Cruise” on the telecast that year. Previous country acts who have cruised down the famous parade route include Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Billy Currington, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker and Cole Swindell.

The annual event attracts 3 million people to New York City for a chilly Thursday morning of live marching bands, Broadway performances, rolling floats and mega-sized balloons.

The 90th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. in all time zones on NBC.

Here are more photos of country stars in previous Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades:

Trace Adkins

Rodney Atkins

Billy Currington

Kellie Pickler

Cole Swindell

Darius Rucker