Since 1924 Macy’s has held the official opening to the Holiday Season in style with the Manhatten Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over 2 million people are estimated to attend the annual event, and atleast 4 million watch it on NBC.
This years event is rumored to be spectacular, with new float entries such as Barbie the Island Princess, Bigger Than Life, (Gibson Guitar Bridge to the Future), Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, International CeleBEARation Clock Tower, (build a bear Workshop), and of course 123 Sesame Street, Snoopy’s Dog House (United Media Syndicate), and we can’t forget Tom Turkey (Macy’s).
This years Celebs include but are not limited to, Anika Noni Rose, Dolly Parton, Corbin Blu, Big Apple Circus Cast, Bindi Irwin, and the Crock Man, The Cast for Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, Good Charlotte, Wynonna Judd, Willard Scott, Cast and Characters of Sesame Street, Radio City Rockets, Ne-Yo, Menudo, Life House, Jonas Brothers, Jordon Sparks, Kay Hanely, Sarah Brightman, and Rachel Scott, Miss USA 007, amoung other talents we can’t forget the VIP Guests of Honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Performance Groups such as Up with People, UCA/UDA Cheerleaders, (My personal favorite) tap dancing Christmas Trees, National Dance Institute, Jewel of the Caribbean, Mike Miller Dance Team, Cherokee Youth Choir, USA Climbing, amoung other talents will also be Camp Broadway.
This years bands include Macy’s Great Marching Band, Albertville High, American Fork High, NYPD Marching Band, Baltimore Marching Ravens, Marian Catholic High, from TN Ooltewah High, Paul Lawrence Dunbar High, Stephenson High, Okalahoma University, and of course the Highty Tighties from Virginia High Tech.
Lastly, the specialty Units include but are not limited to, the cute nutmobile by planters, Holiday Harolds by Macy’s, Inflatable elephants, rhinos, pilgrim balloon heads, the founding fathers by Macy’s, and the snowbo balloon ride. The giant balloons will include the energizer bunny, snoopy the flying ace, pikachu, Ronald McDonald, Scoobie Do, and the kids will love Shrek, and the Super Hello Kitty (Sanrio), and Dora the Explorer, and the new entry of this year is Abbey Cadabby (Sesame Street).
Looking for the best place to be during the parade, including prime time for arriving, and great tips on what to bring and not to bring, such as a fold up chair, which is cumbersome to carry in such a huge crowd, Macy’s suggests to leave them home. They also advise everyone to bundle up warm, it’s going to be a great parade, but it’s going to be a bit nippy.
The parade starts at 9am, on 77th Street & Central Park West.
For a map of the parade route, and parade hotline phone number, check out Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade weblink, and you’ll find all you need to know.
http://www.macys.com/campaign/parade/parade.jsp
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.. and have a blast at the parade! If you aren’t in NY, then no doubt you’ll catch it on the boobtube.
Written by: Sacreeta
