This Thanksgiving Day (which always falls at the end of November), I got to do something that I have wanted to do since I was a child - watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. I will say that this was one of the best experiences and a lot of fun, and the weather was sunny with mild temperatures. This was the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the parade brings a start to the festive season with the day after Thanksgiving being the busiest shopping day of the year.
To see the parade, I had brunch at Angelina's on 6th Avenue near Bryant Park, which had a reserved area to watch the parade directly on the route. Getting inside the area was a bit of a nightmare as the security was tight, and the police did not recognise the passes, so we were delayed and then had to rush through the brunch, and they didn't bring some of the items due to the time constraint. The brunch package included avocado toast, egg croissants, breakfast pastries, mini lemon tarts, profiteroles, mini chocolate tarts, a selection of warm drinks, and Bellini cocktails (Prosecco topped with orange juice).
There were also a couple girls for entertainment who got to dance a couple of numbers and a magician while we rushed through the brunch before the parade came onto the street outside.
The parade is always kicked off by Tom Turkey or "the turkey float" as it wasn't given its official name until the late 1990s.
Macy's yellow stars
The floats, bands, dancers, clowns, balloons, and entertainers then follow down the street on the parade route.
Mario from "Super Mario Brothers" made his debut in the parade this year.
"Dora the Explorer"
Spongebob Squarepants and his friend Gary
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Freida the Dachshund on a hot dog cart made her first appearance
The Jolly Green Giant
Balloon acorn and pumpkin
People dressed as farmers celebrating the harvest following the Jolly Green Giant and pumpkin balloons.
The floats advertised different brands, and the above was a Disney float with various characters, such as Moana and Mickey Mouse.
Spiderman
A Macy's Soccer Ball and Stewart the Minion from "Minions"
Lox and Java
"Minions"
Labubu and Pop Mart
Many celebrities performed and rode on the floats, such as rapper Shaggy. Busta Rhymes, Lil John, Kool and the Gang, Foreigner, Ciara, Jewel, Debbi Gibson, Darlene Love were some of the celebrities, but there were many more.
"Gabby and Pandy Paws"
Kool & The Gang
"Smokey Bear"
"Snoopy"
dancers
"Pac Man" made his first appearance
The band Foreigner
Busta Rhymes
Marshall from "PAW Patrol"
A stilt-walker dressed as the famous Statue of Liberty
"Toy Story" character Buzz Lightyear makes his first appearance
Clowns
Musician Lil John
Goku
Monkey D. Luffy
Shrek's Onion Carriage made its debut
Goldbear, the mascot brand of Haribo
Dancers and band
Derpy Tiger made its debut
Bluey and her "Keepy Uppy Balloon"
Debbie Gibson
A troop of toys
Cheerleaders
Meg Donnolly
The "Frost Pips" ("Elf on the Shelf" characters) made their debut
Noorah
Clowns
Pikachu and Eevee
Nikki Deloach
The Pilsbury Doughboy
Bakers following the Pilsbury Doughboy
A giant red, green, and white candy cane
Minnie Mouse
The last float of the parade is always Santa Claus, as he rings in the festive season.
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