Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City, United States

© 123rf.com
26 Nov 2009

Thanksgiving Day throughout the USA celebrates the harvest with a traditional family feast. In New York City the holiday is further celebrated with this spectacular and colourful parade through the streets of Manhattan - in one of the Big Apple's most eagerly anticipated events. Stars and celebrities appear among the many floats, but are dwarfed by 15 or more 'falloons' (a cross between a float and a balloon) representing familiar cartoon characters. There are more than 50 balloons in all, which are inflated on the evening before the Parade as part of the warm-up. Over 30 clown groups, 10 marching bands and dozens of school bands also form a part of the spectacular. Good vantage points include Columbus Circle and Times Square, but get there early for a place near the front of the big crowds.