NEW YORK (AP) The annual holiday event, which began with the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade a century ago, begins Thursday in New York City with new balloons including Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse, floats with zoo and pasta themes, performances by Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel, and more.
The parade’s original iteration, which had floats depicting scenes from Mother Goose, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Miss Muffet and the Spider, and other fairy tales, is very different from this year’s star-studded lineup.
However, certain things haven’t changed. The grand finale will see Santa Claus riding through Manhattan and kicking off the holiday season, followed by an abundance of clowns and marching bands, just like in 1924.
17 enormous character balloons filled with helium, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning actors and singers, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty are all part of this year’s parade.
The Rao’s food brand will be highlighted by a new float that uses real pasta to depict a knight and a dragon engaged in combat. Another will feature gorillas, zebras, tigers, and giraffes to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Bronx Zoo.
People inflate floats in preparation for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Associated Press/Yuki Iwamura photo
“What drives us every day is the work we do, the chance to make a difference in the lives of millions of people, and to provide a little happiness for a few hours on Thanksgiving morning,” said Will Coss, executive producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The procession starts on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at 8:30 a.m. and finishes at the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, which acts as a platform and backdrop for performances, about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away at noon.
Rain or sunny, it will happen. The parade has only been called off three times, during World War II, in 1942 and 1944. Nevertheless, organizers will keep an eye on wind speeds during the celebrations to ensure that the large balloons can fly safely.
As of right now, the prediction predicts showers with highs in the upper 40s and winds of around 10 mph (16 kph), which is well within the range that would allow Snoopy, Bluey, and their pals to soar. In accordance with New York City regulations, Macy’s is not allowed to fly the full-size balloons when sustained winds surpass 23 mph (37 kph) or wind gusts surpass 35 mph (56 kph).
With hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotband, and Al Rokerand, the parade airs on NBC and is streamed on the Peacock service. Telemundo’s Spanish simulcast will be hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
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