The streets of Manhattan are set to transform into a vibrant procession of gigantic balloons and dazzling floats, as the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marches into New York City tomorrow. According to ABC7NY, the parade will begin, come rain or shine, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on the Upper West Side, culminating at Macy's Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street.
For those enamored by the parade's iconic balloons, the inflatable stars have already begun taking shape today. Fans have been flocking to the Macy's Balloon Inflation Celebration, which runs until 6 p.m. with spectators allowed to enter the line at noon, as reported by FOX5NY. A festive addition this year includes balloons like Buzz Lightyear and Pac-Man and floats from Netflix's "Stranger Things" and Holland America Line's The Land of Glaciers, Wildlife & Wonder.
The lineup of talent is nothing short of stellar, with performances expected from a diverse blend of artists including Audrey Nuna, Ciara, and Busta Rhymes. Ballet dancers, YouTube stars, and marching bands from as far as Panama will add to the eclectic parade mix. The NYPD has advised spectators to avoid bringing large backpacks, lawn chairs, and other prohibited items outlined by FOX5NY, in order to facilitate smooth entry through security checkpoints.
Transportation-wise, the word is mass transit is your best bet. A cavalcade of street closures will ensure navigating NYC by car is about as smooth as sailing through Jell-O. Parade-goers can expect Central Park West and other major thoroughfares to be off-limits starting today. For those attending the balloon inflation today, entry is through the checkpoint at Columbus Avenue at W. 72nd St., and no tickets are required for this pre-parade spectacle.
As the city braces for brisk weather, with AccuWeather predicting sunny to partly cloudy skies and temperatures feeling like the 30s, hearty souls will have plenty to entertain them at as they join in a venerable New York tradition. Meanwhile, Macy's has ensured that contingency plans are in place should the winds exceed safe levels for flying those beloved balloons high above the cityscape.
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