Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off in Manhattan
NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off Thursday in New York City, with new balloons depicting Buzz Lightyear and Pac-Man ready to take to the skies and floats featuring Labubu and Lego adorning the streets.
The parade began on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and will end at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street.
It’s a cold day 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 have been closely monitoring the forecast, as city law prohibits Macy’s from flying full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph (37 kph) or wind gusts exceed 35 mph (56 kph). The weather only caused the balloons to land once, in 1971, but they also sometimes rose lower than usual due to the wind.
Authorities will decide Thursday morning whether any adjustments to the balloon are necessary, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
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He said at a news conference Wednesday that there were no known, specific and credible threats to the event, but as usual, thousands of police officers will be stationed along the route.
The parade has been a magnet for protests in the past two years, when pro-Palestinian protesters entered the parade route. Police “are prepared to address that and any other situation that comes our way,” Tisch said.
Throughout the show there will be a star-studded line-up, along with plenty of marching bands, dancers and cheerleaders. Artists set to perform include “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo, Conan Gray, Lainey Wilson, Foreigner, Lil Jon and Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami of 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 cast members from Broadway’s “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Just in Time” and “Ragtime.”
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In all, the parade is expected to include dozens of balloons, floats, clown groups and marching bands, all leading the way for Santa Claus. Among the new balloons to be introduced is a large onion-shaped carriage with eight characters from the world of “Shrek.” “KPop Demon Hunters” will also be represented in the sky with the characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie.
The event will air on NBC and will be hosted by “Today’s” Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker and former colleague Hoda Kotb. On Telemundo the hosts will be Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow.
The parade will also be simulcast on NBC’s Peacock streaming service.