Iconic characters like Snoopy and SpongeBob SquarePants soared above the streets of New York City as Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade embraced the holiday spirit. The festive procession, featuring bands and celebrities like Cher, traversed Manhattan, captivating both onlookers and a nationwide TV audience before culminating at Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street.
Notable additions to the balloon lineup included Leo the lizard from a Netflix film, while cherished characters like SpongeBob and Snoopy returned, the latter in a special Beagle Scout Snoopy version commemorating the 50th anniversary of his Peanuts comics debut.
Despite a brief disruption by protesters near a McDonald’s float, the parade continued its lively march with floats, marching bands, and clown crews engaging the 8,000 participants and thousands of spectators lining the streets.
Families, bundled up against the chilly morning, shared the excitement as characters like Bluey and Big Bird passed by. For many, like Terri Brown and her family from New Jersey, attending the parade was a cherished tradition.
Ross Greenstein, who traveled from Michigan, experienced the parade in person for the first time, fulfilling a childhood dream. The 97th edition of the parade, hosted by NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, also received a call from President Joe Biden, who encouraged gratitude for the nation’s blessings.
As festive balloons danced in the sky and the parade celebrated its 97th year, the spirit of Thanksgiving resonated through the streets of New York City.
