Written by: Albert Terc
Photos by: Albert Terc
The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was as exciting and eventful as billed. Hailed as the Parade of Parades, it boasts the largest character balloons, the most colorful and fanciest floats, premier marching bands across the country, and the largest assembly of clowns anywhere in the world. Well over a million people braved the chilly morning weather to watch the big balloons float by. The new balloons introduced this year really got a great response from the crowd. Buzz Lightyear was one of the biggest and best balloons of the parade. Macy’s tapped into the phenomenal interest in K-Pop Demon Hunters with the huge Derpy Tiger balloon. The other rookies of the balloon fest , Mario, Pac-Man and Shrek in an Onion Carriage were huge hits as well.
The big draw for this parade since it’s inception has been the big balloons. I watched the faces of kids young and old brings smiles to their faces as the characters that personify Americana and world culture float on by with a crew of about 100 people holding the ropes to keep them steady. Popular celebrities were aboard some of the most creative and colorful floats. Busta Rhymes was rapping one of his big hits while the crowd sand along. Kool and the Gang waved to the crowd while on board a Bronx Zoo float with replicas of exotic animals. Darlene Love was on a Christmas themed float. The holidays just aren’t complete without hearing a Darlene Love Christmas soundtrack. Probably the most intriguing float was the Foreigner Meets Stranger Things Demigorgon where it appeared the robotic character was singing to a Foreigner classic hit I’ve Been Waiting For A Girl Like You.
Of course, a parade just isn’t a parade without a marching band to get the crowd dancing and singing. This year’s parade showcased some of the best marching bands in the country. Kicking off the parade as the lead band is an honor and reflection of the talent and effort of the band. The Northern Arizona University Lumberjack Marching Band from Flagstaff, Arizona had the distinct privilege of being first up and they did not disappoint at all. Their brass section was one of the best in the parade. Some of the more notable bands were the Alcorn State University Marching Band from Mississippi and L.D. Bell Blue Raider Band from Texas. They brought their A game and got the crowd really worked up. I posted videos of some of their dynamic performances in the related video section.
One of the little known facts about the much heralded Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is that it is the largest assembly of clowns in the world. Over 800 volunteers dress up as clowns and toss confetti to the crowd and wish everyone along the parade route a Happy Thanksgiving. One of my personal favorites is when family members join together as clowns. It’s something they will always remember and such a cool thing to do. Once the parade theme changes from Thanksgiving to Christmas, it means one thing….the big guy is coming soon. When the Santa Claus float arrives with the reindeers and sled on top of a gingerbread house all eyes are glues to the happy man in a red suit and white hair and beard with his arms raised in celebration and joy. Kids from 4 to 94 watch in amazement and hope of a better tomorrow.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the grand finale of an amazing year of parades in NYC. The passing of tradition from one generation to another is alive and well in NYC. Whether it be in the oldest parade of NYC in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March or the vibrant National Puerto Rican Day Parade and Pride Parades in June or the young and upcoming Dance Parade in May or the colorful West Indian Day Parade in September or the Halloween Parade in October, New Yorkers came out to celebrate. I’m plenty to be thankful for in this year of parades. Thanks to the parade organizers who work long hours to make these events some of the top notch in the country and the world. Thanks to the volunteers that come out and make sure things run smoothly. Thanks for the marchers that come out rain or shine to keep their traditions going. Thanks for the millions of people that came out this year to watch and enjoy these events. Thanks for the NYPD and FDNY for keep us safe during these large scale events. And thanks to you the reader for taking part of your day to learn what a parade in NYC can be like.
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