NATION NOWMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Balloons, floats, crowdsSanta closes the parade Parade on Central Park West.Robert Deutsch, USATGene Simmons of KISS Parade on Central Park West.Robert Deutsch, USA TODAYSpectators react as they watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade make it's way down New York's Central Park West.Tina Fineberg, APPapa Smurf rounds the corner onto Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Andrew Burton, Getty ImagesThe Red Hot Mamas on Central Park West.Robert Deutsch, USATThe 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 ImagesSnoopy and Woodstock on Columbus CircleRobert Deutsch, USA TODAYPeople watch the Pikachu balloon go by during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Andrew Burton, Getty ImagesA clown works the crowd along Central Park West.Robert Deutsch, USA TODAYAdventure Time with Finn and Jake float down the parade route.Robert Deutsch, USATParade fans watch from apartments on Central Park West.Robert Deutsch, USATThe Western Carolina University Marching Band participates in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade.Robert Deutsch, USATMembers of the Bahama All Stars marching band perform during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Julio Cortez, APNickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants balloon returns for the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Rob Kim, Getty Images For NickelodeonIdina Menzel rides a float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Laura Cavanaugh, FilmMagicPretty Little Liars' Lucy Hale is all smiles at the Macy's parade.Laura Cavanaugh, FilmMagicPerformers march down Sixth Avenue during the Thanksgiving Day parade.John Minchillo, APNick Jonas is bundled for the cold during the Macy's parade.Laura Cavanaugh, FilmMagicSanta Claus gets his beard combed while riding his float down Sixth Avenue during the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday.John Minchillo, APPolice officers ride motorcycles while leading the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Julio Cortez, APThe Hello Kitty balloon floats down Central Park West.Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty ImagesThe 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 ImagesA balloon in the shape of Wimpy Kid hovers over Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Julio Cortez, APA 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, APThe Paddington Bear balloon cruises over Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Julio Cortez, APA performer, left, throws confetti on the crowd during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Julio Cortez, APA 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, APTamari 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, APChildren look out a window while trying to get a glimpse of balloons during the parade.Julio Cortez, APA Power Ranger balloon cruises along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Julio Cortez, APPerformers await the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27 in New York.Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty ImagesFloats, including Snoopy, are prepared for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty ImagesDid you know? Macy's held its first parade in 1924.Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty ImagesA marching band arrives to participate in the parade.Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty ImagesPeople wear turkey hats while they wait for the start of the parade.Julio Cortez, APPeople look on as a Papa Smurf character balloon is inflated a day before the Macy's parade.Peter Foley, European Pressphot AgencyWorkers fill a Papa Smurf character balloon with helium on Nov. 26.Peter Foley, European Pressphoto AgencyA view of the Spiderman balloon float during rehearsals.Mike Coppola, Getty ImagesThe Pikachu balloon float during rehearsals.Mike Coppola, Getty ImagesThe Wiggle Worm balloon makes it way down New York's Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Tina Fineberg, AP