Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2024/ Thanksgiving Day Parade 100th anniversary/ New York City holiday events/ parade live stream/ Macy’s balloons and floats/ NEW YORK/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off its 100th anniversary Thursday in steady rain, featuring iconic balloons, dazzling floats, and performances by Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, and Kylie Minogue. Despite the wet weather, the parade delighted millions with its vibrant lineup and a grand finale featuring Santa Claus.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Quick Looks
Event Highlights
- New Balloons: Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse join the lineup.
- Unique Floats: Bronx Zoo’s 125th-anniversary float and Rao’s pasta-themed creation.
- Star Performances: Jennifer Hudson, T-Pain, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, and more.
Weather Conditions
- Rain: Steady showers with temperatures in the upper 40s.
- Wind: Well below thresholds, allowing balloons like Snoopy and Bluey to soar.
Broadcast Details
- Live Coverage: NBC with Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker.
- Streaming: Peacock and Telemundo (Spanish simulcast).
Ponchos & Balloons: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Marches On Despite Rain
Deep Look
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrated its centennial on Thursday, braving steady rain to deliver a spectacular show filled with giant balloons, intricate floats, and performances by some of the biggest names in entertainment.
A Century of Tradition
The 2024 parade paid homage to its origins, when fairy tale-themed floats like Mother Goose and Red Riding Hood first graced the streets of Manhattan. Today’s event featured a far more modern lineup, including 17 giant helium balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty inflatables, and appearances from over 700 clowns and 11 marching bands.
Star-Studded Performances
Notable Floats and Balloons
- New Additions: Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons made their parade debut.
- Rao’s Food Float: A knight and dragon battle crafted from pasta brought whimsy to the route.
- Bronx Zoo Float: Featuring life-size representations of a tiger, giraffe, zebra, and gorilla to honor the zoo’s 125th anniversary.
Weather Challenges and Safety
Rain added a layer of complexity to the event, with paradegoers donning ponchos and umbrellas along the route. However, wind conditions remained favorable, allowing full-size balloons to take flight. New York City law prohibits their use in sustained winds over 23 mph or gusts exceeding 35 mph, thresholds that organizers monitored throughout the parade.
Broadcasting and Streaming
The parade began at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, concluding around noon at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store. NBC’s Today team—Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker—hosted the broadcast, with streaming available on Peacock. Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza hosted a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo.
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