Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade set to kick off in Manhattan
NEW YORK– The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off Thursday in New York, with new balloons representing Buzz Lightyear and Pac-Man ready to take flight and floats representing Labubu and Lego gracing the streets.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. EST, rain or shine, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and will end at the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street.
A cool day is expected in the city, with temperatures in the 40s, but wind gusts between 25 mph (40 kph) and 30 mph (48 kph) will make it feel colder, according to David Stark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in New York.
Officials are closely monitoring the forecast because city law prohibits Macy’s from flying large balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph (37 km/h) or if wind gusts exceed 35 mph (56 km/h). The weather only grounded the balloons once, in 1971, but they also sometimes flew lower than usual because of the wind.
Authorities will decide Thursday morning whether adjustments to the balloon are necessary, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
She told a news conference Wednesday that there are no known, specific, credible threats to the event, but that, as usual, thousands of police officers will be stationed along the route.
The parade has drawn protests over the past two years, when pro-Palestinian demonstrators invaded the parade route. Police “are prepared to deal with this situation and any other situation that comes our way,” Tisch said.
An all-star lineup will be interspersed throughout the show, along with a large number of marching bands, dancers and cheerleaders. Performers include “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo, Conan Gray, Lainey Wilson, Foreigner, Lil Jon and Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami from HUNTR/X, the fictional girl group at the heart of this year’s Netflix hit “KPop Demon Hunters.” The Radio City Rockettes will also be there, as will the cast of Broadway’s “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Just in Time” and “Ragtime.”
In total, the parade is expected to feature dozens of balloons, floats, clown groups and marching bands, all paving the way for Santa. Among the new balloons presented is a large onion carriage representing eight characters from the world of “Shrek”. “KPop Demon Hunters” will also be depicted in the sky with characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie.
The event will be broadcast on NBC, hosted by Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker of “Today” and their former colleague Hoda Kotb. On Telemundo, the hosts will be Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow.
The parade is also simulcast on NBC’s Peacock streaming service.
