According to the organizers, about three million spectators are expected to line the Thanksgiving parade route to watch it in person. As the balloons, floats and marching bands make their way from the Upper West Side to Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square. After a TV-only event in 2020, organizers expected about 2.5 million spectators.
16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 12 marching bands, a host of musical stars and more will feature this year. Also, 700 clowns and Santa Claus are also involved for good measure.
Spectators can watch the balloons being inflated on November 23,Wednesday afternoon on the Upper West Side. The preparations are open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. The area can be accessed from West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue.The parade is all set to step off on Thanksgiving Day, that is November 24, at 8:45 a.m. ET accompanying TV coverage from 9 a.m. to noon.
Here’s the Parade route for the spectatorsÂ
There are 2.5 miles of public view along the route.The parade will kick off at West 77th Street and Central Park West. But, there is very limited public viewing there. The procession will than head south along Central Park West. For the great views, Central Park West from West 75th to West 61st are available. The parade turns onto Central Park South at Columbus Circle. There’s no public viewing there. It turns again onto 6th Avenue, heading south. alo read:-Director James Cameron terms Avatar 2 as the worst business scenario in the history of movies
Another stretch of optimal viewing is along 6th Avenue from West 59th to West 38th streets. Restricted stretches are to avoid run along 6th Avenue between West 34th and West 38th streets. And, on West 34th street between 6th and 7th avenues. There is limited access by the national television broadcast.
Performers and marching bands of this year’s Thanksgiving parade
In this year’s Thanksgiving Day event, dozens of stars are set to perform including singer/songwriter Jordin Sparks, soul singer Joss Stone, jazz artist Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, reggae artist Ziggy Marley and many more.This year, a dozen of marching bands will be in the parade, hailing from cities across the country from Fresno, California, to Columbia, South Carolina.
Also, one band coming all the way from Xalapa, Mexico.Lea Michele and the cast of Broadway’s “Funny Girl” are set to do an opening number with more Broadway performances from shows including “Some Like It Hot” and “The Lion King.”According to the Macy’s parade organizers, they worked closely with city and state officials to create a plan to ensure the “health and safety of all participants.”
