New York City’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off in entrance of tens of millions of spectators at present.
The parade is again in full swing this 12 months after two years of COVID restrictions. The parade follows a 2.5-mile route from the Upper West Side right down to thirty fourth Street.
Dressed and able to take flight, Dino and Baby Dino are a few of the acquainted balloon faces set to glide over the streets.
“We are here to see the balloons for the very first time,” stated parade spectator Monica Debride. “We are New Yorkers, born and raised, but I was excited to bring my daughter for the first time.”
About 3 million folks shall be on the sidelines, watching 8,000 performers formally usher within the vacation season. For many, the enjoyable began yesterday as crowds gathered all day to observe the balloons inflate.
“We didn’t realize how big they are. Now we see why they’re all tied down,” Cindy Mandat, a customer from Florida, stated.
This 12 months there shall be 16 huge character balloons, 28 floats, a dozen marching bands, 700 clowns and, after all, Santa Claus.
“My favorite was actually “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” stated parade spectator Alex Williams.
The New York Police Department is boosting safety as a precaution for the vacation parade after two latest mass shootings simply days aside in Virginia and Colorado, however police say there isn’t a identified, credible risk to the festivities.
“Rest assured, there will be officers that you see and officers that you will not see,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell stated. “We are here in the air. We are here in the crowd. We’re here along the route. We’re here to keep you safe.”
Some of the large balloons folks stated they will be looking forward to are the Minions, Papa Smurf, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. There may also be performances and appearances by Paula Abdul, Kirk Franklin and Broadway’s Funny Girl.