People watch floats being inflated in preparation for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov 27, 2024, in NY. (AP Photo/ Yuki Iwamura)
NEW YORK (AP) — A century after the debut of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the beloved holiday event returns to New York City on Thursday with exciting new additions. This year, fans will be treated to new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, unique zoo and pasta-themed floats, and musical performances from stars like Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel, among others.
The spectacle has certainly evolved from its humble beginnings, which featured floats inspired by fairy tales like Mother Goose, Little Red Riding Hood, and Miss Muffet. But some traditions remain unchanged. As in 1924, the parade will feature an abundance of marching bands, clowns, and, of course, the grand finale: Santa Claus making his way through Manhattan to officially kick off the holiday season.
This year's parade will showcase 17 massive character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, and appearances by award-winning actors and singers. The WNBA champion New York Liberty will also join the celebration.
People inflate floats for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov 27, 2024, in NY. (AP Photo/ Yuki Iwamura)
Among the new additions, one float will highlight the Rao’s food brand, featuring a knight and dragon battling in a scene crafted from pasta. Another float will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Bronx Zoo, with representations of animals like a tiger, giraffe, zebra, and gorilla.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade executive producer Will Coss expressed the team’s dedication, saying, “The work that we do, the opportunity to impact millions of people and bring a bit of joy for a couple of hours on Thanksgiving morning, is what motivates us every day.”
The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, traveling for 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) and concluding around noon at Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street, which serves as the main stage for performances.
The event will proceed rain or shine, with only three cancellations in its history — during World War II from 1942 to 1944. Organizers will keep a close eye on wind conditions to ensure the safety of the large balloons. So far, forecasts predict rain, temperatures in the upper 40s, and winds around 10 mph (16 kph), which should be ideal for balloons like Snoopy and Bluey to float through the skies. If wind speeds exceed 23 mph (37 kph) or gusts surpass 35 mph (56 kph), the balloons will be grounded.
The parade will be broadcast on NBC, with hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, and will be available for streaming on the network's Peacock service. A Spanish-language simulcast will air on Telemundo, hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
