New Yorker’s lined the Big Apple’s streets bright and early Thursday, soaking up the sun and mild winter weather ahead the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Thanksgiving tradition kicked off on 77th and Central Park West at 9 a.m. to the cheers of spectators waiting to catch a glimpse of classic balloons like Snoopy and Pikachu and some of this year’s new additions like Bluey. The associated Press has the story:
NY Thanksgiving Parade: Flying Balloon for Stars
Newslooks- NEW YORK (AP)
Throngs of spectators lined the streets of New York on Thursday as colorful, high-flying balloons helped usher in the holiday season at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
A police officer stands guard as people watch and take photos of helium balloons getting inflated for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)A man takes a photo of an inflated helium balloon of Stuart the Minion on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York, as the balloon is readied for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
The annual tradition, which dates back nearly a century, saw mostly sunny skies and a slight breeze Thursday morning.
A child watches helium balloons as they’re inflated for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)Cheerleaders from the University of Missouri marching band walk down Central Park South during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
International cartoon sensation Bluey, the Australian cattle pup, will make her parade debut, with a balloon in her likeness towering as tall as a four-story building and stretching as wide as seven taxi cabs. Stuart, the one-eyed Minion, will also be there.
Workers inflate helium balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Snoopy, dressed as an astronaut, will again make an appearance, parade officials said, as will Papa Smurf, Ronald McDonald and SpongeBob.
Performers walk through Columbus Circle during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
This year’s parade, by the numbers: 16 giant balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 12 marching bands, 10 performance groups, 700 clowns and one Santa Claus.
Police walk by inflated helium balloons of Baby Shark and Sinclair’s Dino on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York, as the balloons are readied for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)The Boss Baby balloon makes its way down Sixth Avenue during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
The procession of characters will be joined by singer Paula Abdul, in her first parade appearance; indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums; boy band Big Time Rush; “Blue’s Clues & You!” host Josh Dela Cruz; singer Gloria Estefan; gospel singer Kirk Franklin; actor Mario Lopez; reggae star Ziggy Marley; and Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles.
An inflated helium balloon of Ronald McDonald is seen on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York, as the balloon is readied for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Singers Joss Stone, Jordin Sparks and Betty Who will also be part of the festivities, as will the stars of Peacock’s “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin” — Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg. Jimmy Fallon & The Roots will be on a float celebrating Central Park.
Workers inflate a balloon of the character Goku on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York, as the balloon is readied for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
President Biden and Jill Biden called into the parade, as he did last year. Biden thanked firefighters, police officers and first responders, saying, “They never take a break.”
Spectators line Sixth Avenue as they watch clowns, floats and balloons go by during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
They thanked the troops and Biden said he would be reaching out to speak to some today.
People watch at inflated helium balloons of Ronald McDonald and a football player on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York, as the balloon is readied for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
The Tom Turkey float leads the way down Central Park West during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
Viewers nationwide can watch the parade live on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
A woman looks at an inflated helium balloon of Ronald McDonald on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in New York, as the balloon is readied for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
