NEWS
Crowds Watch Balloons Being Inflated For Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Carol Tannenhauser/Facebook
Crowds gathered on Thanksgiving Eve outside the Museum of Natural History in New York City to see the balloons being inflated ahead of the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday.
Thousands of people watched along Columbus Avenue from 72nd to 76th streets to see the 31 floats, 25 balloons, and 6 balloonicles, which combine balloons with vehicles, prepping for the world’s largest parade. On Thursday morning, they will be joined by 29 clown crews, 11 marching bands, seven performance groups, and 18 special performers.
This year’s parade features seven new balloons: Monkey D. Luffy, the main character in the hit animated and live-action One piece series on Netflix; Po from Kung fu Panda; the Cool Cats digital collectibles Blue Cat and Chugs; Uncle Dan, a character voiced by Danny DeVito in the upcoming Illumination film Migration; the Pillsbury Doughboy; the lizard Leo from the animated film Leo; and a Beagle Scout version of Snoopy in honor of the Apple TV Plus series Camp Snoopy.
There will also be a new Camp Snoopy float, along with five other new floats. A Willy Wonka-themed float is joining the parade, the Deliciously Delectable World of Wonder by Warner Bros., and features the doors to Wonka’s vibrant chocolate shop leading to a majestic cherry tree.
Candymaker Brach’s is also debuting a sugary float, the Palace of Sweets, featuring a candy Christmas tree, a gingerbread house, and R&B singer Brandy.
A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem float will make its debut, featuring Bell Biv DeVoe, a New Edition spinoff. There will also be a Good Burgermobile for fans of Good Burger 2. Solo Stove, meanwhile, hopes its campfire-themed float will capture viewers’ hearts by Igniting Memories of cherished family camping trips, featuring a performance by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors.
The parade will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon ET on Thanksgiving Day, and viewers at home will be able to watch on NBC and Peacock.
TMX contributed to this article.
