2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Ushers in New York Holiday Season

New York – Colorful high-flying balloons ushered in the holiday season as thousands of onlookers filled the streets of New York City on Thursday during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Dating back nearly a century, this annual tradition filled the streets in a procession of giant inflatables and floats stretching over 40 blocks from Central Park to Herald Square.

Children were balancing on metal barricades, hanging from scaffolding, watching balloons in mostly clear skies and light breezes.

“Blue, blue, blue,” exclaims 6-year-old Divyam Kumar as his father balances him and his 4-year-old brother Aanu Aryan on metal rails.

The young man was referring to the star of the animated show Blue’s Clues. This should not be confused with the international cartoon sensation Bluey. Bluey is an Australian calf who made his parade debut.

Bluey’s balloon soared as high as a four-story building and stretched seven taxis wide.

Stuart, the one-eyed Minion, was also in attendance and thrilled the crowd.

But it was Snoopy that particularly caught 8-year-old Brenner Chenenko’s eye, even more so than more modern puppies.

The young man from Rochester, New York lined the parade route with his father, Nate, and grandfather, John Whopper.

It was the first time for me and my family to see the parade in person. The last time Wopperer saw the parade live was three years before him, after the pandemic canceled his year-long event.

Snoopy dressed as an astronaut was followed by another old favorite, Papa Smurf.

This year’s parade features 16 giant balloons, 28 floats, 40 innovative and traditional inflatables, 12 marching bands, 10 performance groups, 700 clowns and 1 Santa Claus has appeared.

The procession of characters included singer Paula Abdul joining the parade for the first time. Indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums. Boy band Big Time Rush. “Blues Clues” & You!” host Josh Dela Cruz, singer Gloria Estefan, gospel singer Kirk Franklin, actor Mario Lopez, reggae star Ziggy Marley, and Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles.

Singers Joss Stone, Jordan Sparks and Betty also joined the festivities, as did Peacock’s “Pitch Perfect: Bumpers in Berlin” stars Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg.Jimmy Fallon & The Roots were on a float celebrating Central Park.

Like last year, President Biden and Jill Biden attended the parade. Biden thanked firefighters, police officers and first responders, saying “they never take a break.”

They thanked the military and said Biden would reach out to talk to some today.

Asked about their plans for the day in Nantucket, Massachusetts, the Bidens thanked first responders, saying their families would be on board and they would also have time to spend locally.

In Plymouth, Massachusetts, an English reservation founded by pilgrims arriving on the Mayflower held two events a year to embrace “all aspects” of the holiday, town officials said. person said.

Costumed participants represented the 51 survivors of the first brutal winter of 1621, reenacting the annual Thanksgiving “Pilgrim’s Progress” procession.

A National Day of Morning was also held to honor Indigenous ancestors and protest against racism and oppression. “We are not defeated, we are not conquered, we are as strong as ever,” read a sign written behind the speakers.

Also read | ‘Corn Kid’ helps donate 90,000 cans of vegetables to New York City food relief for Thanksgiving

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