NYC’s Thanksgiving: Highlights of the parade, travel advisories, and more
CBS2’s John Dias wrote, “thankful for this assignment this morning. I get to cover one of my favorite annual traditions, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
A great many people going for Thanksgiving are doing it via vehicle. Thursday morning saw the beginning of the journey for some.
Zinnia Maldonado of CBS2 talked to people in Ridgefield, New Jersey, at the Vince Lombardi service area.
“The roads were great, clear. We just sat back and relaxed, it was kind of nice having a chauffeur, so to speak, on a tour bus to come up to the city for the first time.
So far, it’s been an awesome experience, so we’ll see how it goes,” said a woman from West Virginia who was going to the parade for the first time. We are very excited to be in New York for the first time.
Nearly a century ago, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marked the beginning of the holiday season.
There are 40 smaller inflatables and 16 large-character balloons, according to the organizers. As the parade winds through Midtown, 80 to 90 handlers will keep each balloon straight.
John Dias of CBS2 had a conversation with the parade’s executive producer just before it left for the Upper West Side.
A few amusing details regarding the parade: In the beginning, it was a Christmas parade, but it eventually became a Thanksgiving parade.
It previously occurred right around quite a while back in 1924, tying it for the second-most established Thanksgiving march in the U.S. with America’s Thanksgiving March in Detroit.
Balloons for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are ready to take flight Thursday morning. The balloons for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are ready to take flight.
Wednesday marked the annual Thanksgiving Eve tradition where attendees watched the balloons being inflated.
They are prepared for takeoff or kickoff, and Wednesday night’s inflation was the kind that people actually value.
Linelle Banks told CBS2’s Dick Brennan, “It’s absolutely fun because we just arrived from Charlotte, North Carolina.”
Only to see the balloons the night before, sisters Linnelle and Linette Banks flew in. “Are you planning to attend the parade tomorrow? “Brennan inquired.
Linette Banks stated, “Gonna be here tomorrow to see the parade.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, on TV. But it’s a pleasure to be here right now,” Linelle Banks stated.
Indeed, seeing the balloons up close, which these guys describe as “larger than life,” was a pleasure for many.
“It was crazy. We thought they were so much smaller than they actually are.” A child said
“All of the Minions’ balloons are visible. You can see anything. You’re out and about. You can see everyone here. Another child stated, “It’s just big.”
Additionally, parents love it a lot.
“It’s great. We love it. We come every year. My parents live on the block,” said parent Lauren Lopresti.
The inflation started at noon, and this year’s parade floats, which included giant tugboats, dancing elephants, a “Choco-Meter,” and a LEGO-lover’s dream, were shown to the public for the first time.
16 large-character balloons and 40 smaller inflatables are inflated by massive helium tanks. According to Macy’s, there will be between 80 and 90 handlers for each balloon as the parade winds through Midtown.
It’s the best way to get everyone, young and old, ready for the most entertaining parade ever.
