The Macy's parade is truly a sight to behold, especially if it's your first time watching it in-person from the crowded route through midtown Manhattan. Many millions watch the oldest and biggest Thanksgiving parade in the country every year, both from street-level and from the comfort of their sofas. Giant balloons, enormous floats, cheerleaders, marching bands, celebrity singers and more slowly make their way from Central Park West, near Columbus Circle, eventually ending up at Herald Square. Crowds also gather to watch the lengthy process of inflating all the giant balloons. If you plan to pop down and watch, preperation is key, wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers and make note of where coffee shops are. The best viewing spots are generally considered to be at Central Park West, Columbus Circle, 6th Avenue and 34th Street.
With the holiday season fast approaching, nothing says Thanksgiving more than a parade. What could be better than braving the cold, joining the crowds and cheering when an unexpected gust of wind lifts a startled handler a few feet in the air as they hang on to their guide rope for dear life? Then once all the hijinks and horseplay are over, make your way home for a slap-up turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Huge helium-filled ballons of quirky characters from contemporary pop-culture are commonplace in parades across the country. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City alone uses approximately 400,000 cubic feet of helium gas.
This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 24 (just a few days after the FIFA World Cup starts in Qatar). So, try and tear yourself away from the TV to grab a coat, get outside and have fun with the festivities. These Thanksgiving parades only happens once a year after all.
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