Louisianas “Celebration Gator” float returned to the 96th Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday.
Louisiana artist Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue performed on the float, shaped like a 60-foot-long alligator with a streetscape on its back. According to Louisiana Tourism, the float is designed to reflect a blend of the French Quarter architecture of New Orleans, Creole fashion, and Spanish colonial style.
A video shared by Sinan Tuncdemir shows the elaborate float with marchers alongside wishing spectators a happy Thanksgiving.
The Smokey Bear balloon can be seen following behind, spreading a message of wildfire safety, though many social media users were more interested in the characters unusually humanoid pectoral muscles.
Longtime NBC broadcast host Al Roker missed the parade for the first time in 27 years as he recovers from blood clots in his leg and lungs that sent him to the hospital earlier this month. “Today” co-host Dylan Dreyer filled in alongside Savannah Guthrie.
