NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off Thursday in New York City, with new balloons depicting Buzz Lightyear and Pac-Man set to take to the skies and floats featuring Labubu and Lego gracing the streets.
The parade is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. EST, rain or shine, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and will end at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street.
It’s expected to be a chilly 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 are watching the forecast closely since city law prohibits Macy’s from flying full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph (37 kph) or wind gusts are over 35 mph (56 kph). In the history of the parade, weather has grounded the balloons only once, in 1971, but they have also flown lower than usual due to windy conditions.
Authorities will decide Thursday morning whether any balloon adjustments are needed, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. At a news conference Wednesday, she confirmed there are no known, specific, credible threats to the event, but thousands of police officers will be stationed along the route.
The parade has been a magnet for protests in the last two years, particularly from pro-Palestinian groups that have attempted to enter the parade route. Police are prepared to address any such situations that may arise.
The event promises a star-studded lineup of performances including major appearances by “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo, Conan Gray, Lainey Wilson, Foreigner, Lil Jon, and the cast members from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters.” The Radio City Rockettes will also perform alongside entertainers from Broadway productions like “Buena Vista Social Club” and “Ragtime.”
This year’s parade will feature dozens of balloons, floats, clown groups, and marching bands, leading the way for Santa Claus and including a large onion carriage featuring eight characters from “ Shrek.”
The event will air live on NBC, hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, and former colleague Hoda Kotb. It will also be streamed on NBC’s Peacock service.
