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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Balloons, floats, crowds

Santa closes the parade Parade on Central Park West.
Santa closes the parade Parade on Central Park West.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
Gene Simmons of KISS Parade on Central Park West.
Gene Simmons of KISS Parade on Central Park West.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
Spectators react as they watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade make it's way down New York's Central Park West.
Spectators react as they watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade make it's way down New York's Central Park West.
Tina Fineberg, AP
Papa Smurf rounds the corner onto Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Papa Smurf rounds the corner onto Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Andrew Burton, Getty Images
The Red Hot Mamas  on Central Park West.
The Red Hot Mamas on Central Park West.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
The Pillsbury Doughboy balloon floats on Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The annual tradition marks the start of the holiday season.
The Pillsbury Doughboy balloon floats on Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The annual tradition marks the start of the holiday season.
Andrew Burton, Getty Images
Snoopy and Woodstock on Columbus Circle
Snoopy and Woodstock on Columbus Circle
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
People watch the Pikachu balloon go by during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
People watch the Pikachu balloon go by during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Andrew Burton, Getty Images
A clown works the crowd along Central Park West.
A clown works the crowd along Central Park West.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
Adventure Time with Finn and Jake float down the parade route.
Adventure Time with Finn and Jake float down the parade route.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
Parade fans watch from apartments on Central Park West.
Parade fans watch from apartments on Central Park West.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
The Western Carolina University Marching Band  participates in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade.
The Western Carolina University Marching Band participates in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
Members of the Bahama All Stars marching band perform during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Members of the Bahama All Stars marching band perform during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
Nickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants balloon returns for the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Nickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants balloon returns for the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Rob Kim, Getty Images For Nickelodeon
Idina Menzel rides a float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Idina Menzel rides a float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Laura Cavanaugh, FilmMagic
Pretty Little Liars' Lucy Hale is all smiles at the Macy's parade.
Pretty Little Liars' Lucy Hale is all smiles at the Macy's parade.
Laura Cavanaugh, FilmMagic
Performers march down Sixth Avenue during the Thanksgiving Day parade.
Performers march down Sixth Avenue during the Thanksgiving Day parade.
John Minchillo, AP
Nick Jonas is bundled for the cold during the Macy's parade.
Nick Jonas is bundled for the cold during the Macy's parade.
Laura Cavanaugh, FilmMagic
Santa Claus gets his beard combed while riding his float down Sixth Avenue during the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday.
Santa Claus gets his beard combed while riding his float down Sixth Avenue during the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday.
John Minchillo, AP
Police officers ride motorcycles while leading the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Police officers ride motorcycles while leading the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
The Hello Kitty balloon floats down Central Park West.
The Hello Kitty balloon floats down Central Park West.
Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty Images
The Ronald McDonald balloon floats down Central Park West during the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. The giant balloons, a signature feature of the parade, made their debut in 1927.
The Ronald McDonald balloon floats down Central Park West during the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. The giant balloons, a signature feature of the parade, made their debut in 1927.
Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty Images
A balloon in the shape of Wimpy Kid hovers over Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
A balloon in the shape of Wimpy Kid hovers over Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
A balloon in the shape of a character in the children's cartoon movie "How To Train Your Dragon" cruises along Central Park West.
A balloon in the shape of a character in the children's cartoon movie "How To Train Your Dragon" cruises along Central Park West.
Julio Cortez, AP
The Paddington Bear balloon cruises over Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Paddington Bear balloon cruises over Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
A performer, left, throws confetti on the crowd during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
A performer, left, throws confetti on the crowd during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
A New York City police officer stands guard as a balloon in the shape of a police officer makes its way down the parade route.
A New York City police officer stands guard as a balloon in the shape of a police officer makes its way down the parade route.
Julio Cortez, AP
Tamari Hedani, right, hits her boyfriend, Chris Chu, both from San Francisco, with her turkey hat prior to the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Tamari Hedani, right, hits her boyfriend, Chris Chu, both from San Francisco, with her turkey hat prior to the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
Children look out a window while trying to get a glimpse of balloons during the parade.
Children look out a window while trying to get a glimpse of balloons during the parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
A Power Ranger balloon cruises along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
A Power Ranger balloon cruises along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
Performers await the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27 in New York.
Performers await the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27 in New York.
Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty Images
Floats, including Snoopy, are prepared for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Floats, including Snoopy, are prepared for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty Images
Did you know? Macy's held its first parade in 1924.
Did you know? Macy's held its first parade in 1924.
Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty Images
A marching band arrives to participate in the parade.
A marching band arrives to participate in the parade.
Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty Images
People wear turkey hats while they wait for the start of the parade.
People wear turkey hats while they wait for the start of the parade.
Julio Cortez, AP
People look on as a Papa Smurf character balloon is inflated a day before the Macy's parade.
People look on as a Papa Smurf character balloon is inflated a day before the Macy's parade.
Peter Foley, European Pressphot Agency
Workers fill a Papa Smurf character balloon with helium on Nov. 26.
Workers fill a Papa Smurf character balloon with helium on Nov. 26.
Peter Foley, European Pressphoto Agency
A view of the Spiderman balloon float during rehearsals.
A view of the Spiderman balloon float during rehearsals.
Mike Coppola, Getty Images
The Pikachu balloon float during rehearsals.
The Pikachu balloon float during rehearsals.
Mike Coppola, Getty Images
The Wiggle Worm balloon makes it way down New York's Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Wiggle Worm balloon makes it way down New York's Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Tina Fineberg, AP