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Subscribe to RSSWatch TODAY's Al Roker cut the golden ribbon to kick off the annual celebration in New York City.
About 3.5 million people were expected to crowd the route of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York on Thursday while an additional 50 million watched from home.
A jetpack-wearing monkey and a freakish creation from filmmaker Tim Burton are two of the big new balloons that will make their inaugural appearances, while Mary J. Blige, Cee Lo Green, Avril Lavigne and the Muppets are scheduled to take the stage at the end of the route in Herald Square.
Slideshow: See the colorful cast of characters taking part in the parade
Macy's parade will feature more than 40 other balloon creations, 27 floats, 800 clowns and 1,600 cheerleaders.
The parade began at 77th Street and heads south on Central Park West to Seventh Avenue, before moving to Sixth Avenue and ending at Macy's Herald Square.
Amy Kule, the executive producer of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, speaks with TODAY about one of the best jobs on the planet.
The tradition began in 1924 and included live animals such as camels, goats and elephants. It was not until 1927 that the live animals were replaced by giant helium balloons. The parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 because rubber and helium were needed for World War II.
Since the beginning, the balloons have been based on popular cultural characters and holiday themes. Returning favorites this year include Buzz Lightyear, Clumsy Smurf, SpongeBob SquarePants and Kermit the Frog.
Bike-powered balloons
Also making their first appearances at this year's parade are a pair of bike-powered balloons, one featuring a bulldog character and an elf balloon designed by Queens resident Keith Lapinig, who won a nationwide contest.
All the balloons are created at Macy's Parade Studio, and each undergoes testing for flight patterns, aerodynamics, buoyancy and lift.
NBC's Jim Maceda reports from Kabul, where U.S. service members are enjoying some downtime to dig into a traditional Thanksgiving lunch.
The helium giants were inflated Wednesday across the street from the western side of Central Park. Thousands of people, many families with children in tow, were drawn to the spectacle of the balloons lying as if asleep on the streets, held down by weighted nets.
Standing in front of the famed Snoopy balloon, lying on its side, 8-year-old Emilio Rios said he was glad that there was something to keep the helium giant from getting away.
"Otherwise, it would float up to space, and aliens would see it," he said. "They would be the ones with the parade."
NYT: In this town, turkey picks up bill for Thanksgiving dinner
Nine-year-old Lindsay Ravetz said she loved seeing all the characters.
"It's just, like, cool," she said.
It was cool even for many of the adults. Leslie McCarthy, who said she's over 60, has been attending the parade since she was a little girl. And the excitement of seeing the big balloons hasn't worn off.
"I used to think this parade was put on for me," the Brooklyn resident said.
Leave a Comment:
Good to know there is still constancy.
Counting the moments before the arrival of the whining English majors to complain about how their degrees in 18th century British Lit don't return enough on investment for them to participate in the holidays.
Yeah I wish they would quit talking.All those kids that worked their butts off to get there and they've only shown one band. It sure isn't as interesting as it was when I was a kid.
And maybe I want to report your post for spamming.
It is time for a peaceful Thanksgiving; for all to celebrate in their own way. May we all find a way to communicate, to serve, and to love. Happy Thanksgiving, America !!!
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! A great and wonderful American Tradition!
What parade? All I'm seeing on TV is endless advertising for NBC tv shows sprinkled with Broadway show tunes. Some people actually tune in to this to see the actual parade, you know.
another year is comming to a close!! iIwonder how many i have left!
Sure wish we could actually see the parade. All I can see is close ups of celebrities that I don't really care about. I can see glimpses of the parade but that's it.
I had to change the channel. A few seconds of the parade wedged in between "celebrity self promotion" and lip synched Broadway show tunes is not a Thanksgiving parade.
stopped watching the parade a long time ago. too many stupid celebrities flapping their chops about nothing, and way too many commericials. NO THANKS, i would rather read a book. and in other news, a morbidly obese man forces a normal sized man to stand for 7 hours on a flight. what the hell is wrong with americans, and why are they so damn fat ? I would never have let that fat ass on the plane. or charge him for two seats. only fair. last time i flew i had two fat young girls on each side of me, scabs all over their bodies, they were so far out of shape. disgusting.
tl;dw
Sudden eviction leave Bk residents homeless: Sorry, this is another news story here in MSN, but, there was no place for comments. Why not. It's ok to comment about Thanksgiving and its meaning and everything but we can't speak our peace about the fact that Bloomberg kicked people out into the winter streets on the eve of Thanksgiving supposedly for their safety. Ok, they were in a place where the landlords were charging illegal rents, renting on a daily basis as if it were a hotel. But couldn't the city officials go about doing their legal stuff against these "lords without evicting them into the cold streets? Will officials provide a warm place for them at least until they get settled? I hope so. Happy Thanksgiving, at least to those that are well.
I don't get NBC, just CBS and ABC. CBS is showing the NYC parade. I'm not really watching it- it is on in the background, but all they are doing is talking. You can't see the floats or balloons or even hear the bands thanks to the hosts and that one lady's giant turkey hat (or antler headband or Santa hat- she keeps changing hats and blocking a good portion of the parade route). Get rid of the hosts and focus more on the parade.
Agree. They need to show more of the parade. We see stars all year long. People across this great nation have sent thousands of kids in bands, dance teams, etc.; raised alot of money in small towns and want to see the parade!! No more commentary. Not today. CBS-give the parade back to the country!!!
I would love to see the parade, rather than see or listen to some unknows. A lot of time and effort was put into this parade that we would like to see, not lister to some jaber.
Parades on TV have gotten a waste of time to watch, too much talking over the marchers.
Parades on TV have gotten a waste of time to watch, too much talking over the marchers.
I've stopped watching the "Parade" once it became ads for Broadway and TV shows. If you watch the parade on TV, you'd think it consisted of two ballons, no marching bands but hundreds of dancers and TV actors and the endless mindless banter to the hosts. I'm waiting for Santa to be replaced by a stage show. BRING BACK THE REAL PARADE COVERAGE!!
Cut out the awful songs from people that I have never heard of. Give us the traditional parade with the tradition holiday music. Don't show people talking - show the parade. I was very disappointed.
This was the worst broadcast of the parade ever. If I wanted to watch a talk show, I would have watched The View. All they did was talk, interview people, show floats and balloons. What happened to the performers and bands? Extremely disappointing and a waste of time.
Prayers are flying today on this bird killing day, I hope it is the best slaughter you have ever witnessed.. God thank you for this slaughter. LOLJust think within hours you can start your consumption some more. Black Friday gives you a head start on your next slaughter to come. You can count on filling your bellies so full again come Christ mass/ Christ mass of toys and food, selfishness. Spending so much we could save our country and more. Oh well make sure you buy something this year that is the same as last, just out dated. Be thankful we can be so indulgent like this every month and still look at ourselves with pride, sick America. Thanks giving for our pride and greed or for what we can indulge in to the extremes.. A country in dept, Well LOOK AT YOURSELVES sick American money whores.
Not everyone in this country is as you describe them. Don't be so self righteous. By the way, do you think you have a healthy self image? Is your own life a good example in any way? I'm only asking you what I regularly ask myself. Change what you are able to change and try not to judge others. We don't know the whole story.
Chuck,
Your friends at Zuccotti Park have been looking for you. They've missed your 'free the turkeys" rant.
Aah Thanksgiving. Well, gotta say, that parade is pretty much the same every year. YAWN. I prefer to keep my butt at home. My Thanksgiving parade involves mashed potatoes, turkey, and pie in random order throughout the day, lol. A little nibble here and there all day long, take a nap. Get hungry again, have a big chunk of turkey, apply and repeat as needed. I love Thanksgiving.
Pagan worshippers. Many (millions) shall be decieved.
How about a ballon of a pepper spraying cop? It would suit our times!
The parade has become more of a showcase for lip-syncing singers and dancers. Stop that and show the bands that marched in the parade, the floats and the rest of the parade. If I want to watch singers and dancers, I'll watch CSPAN.
Thanksgiving Day: Marking the arrival of the Anglo-Saxon people to America and the extermination of the Indigenous people of this country. What a wonderful Holliday!
Ummm... Leo, I think you may be thinking of Columbus Day. Thanksgiving does not mark the arrival of anyone. It was the Pilgrims' feast to thank God for their bountiful harvest that would tide them over the approaching winter, and the indigenous people were invited as honored guests. If you're going to get your panties in a bunch over a holiday, have self-respect enough to get the rant properly matched to the day so that you won't look like such a bonehead. Now, run along and get some turkey and be nice. BTW, 'holiday' has one L and no cap.
I wanted to watch the parade. I gave up after 45 minutes (mostly on NBC but also tried CBS). I saw several broadway show routines and interviews with stars from their programs but no parade. I realize they have to pay the bills, but this is ridiculous. I guess the only way you can see the parade is to go to NYC.