MAGNIFICENT MILE — There will be more than 40 floats at Saturday's annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, but there's one that will smell especially sweet.
Garrett Popcorn Shops, the Chicago chain known for long lines and wafting caramel aromas throughout the Loop, is bringing its smelly float back to the annual holiday parade on North Michigan Avenue.
"This is kind of our chance to get Garrett popcorn in the hands of our loyal fans," said Jack Aiello, a Garrett vice president.
Saturday will mark the fourth time Garrett will participate in the parade. The company will hand out more than 5,000 free samples to paradegoers, but its real feat is the float itself, which will be mounted with two copper kettles full of caramel and a giant tin that shoots popcorn into the crowd.
The float at last year's Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. [Facebook]
Founded in 1949, Garrett is known for its mixed popcorn bags including cheese and caramel flavors. Other floats in Saturday's parade will include Disney characters and Santa Claus.
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