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from: MARK KENNEDY, Associated Press
Posted: Nov 1, 2021 / 6:49 am CDT
Updated: 11/01/2021 / 07:43 CDT
FILE – Revelers make their way down Avenue of the Americas in front of Radio City Music Hall during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 28, 2019. This year’s parade will get back in shape after bowing to pandemic restrictions last year. It will contain 15 giant balloons with characters, 28 floats, 36 inflatable novelties and heritage, more than 800 clowns, 10 marching bands and nine performance groups and of course Santa Claus (AP Photo / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File).
NEW YORK (AP) – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to return to its pre-pandemic shape this year, with re-routing of Manhattan, soaring helium balloons being pulled by vendors again, and crowds being greeted to cheer them on. And baby Yoda is there for the first time.
This year’s parade – the 95th annual – is set to get itself back in shape after undergoing pandemic restrictions last year. It will contain 15 giant balloons with characters, 28 swimmers, 36 new and traditional inflatables, more than 800 clowns, 10 brass bands and nine performance groups and of course Santa Claus.
New balloon giants to join the line-up on November 25th include Ada Twist, scientist; Grogu (so-called Baby Yoda from “The Mandalorian”); and the Pokémon characters Pikachu and Eevee. Broadway is enhanced by the cast of “Six,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical “and” Wicked “. The Rockettes will be there, as will the cast of the upcoming NBC live production of “Annie”.
“For our 95th celebration, Macy’s created an unforgettable spectacle with a dazzling array of soaring balloons, animated floats and incredible performers. We can’t wait to help New York City and the nation start the holiday season with the return of this cherished tradition, ”Will Coss, executive producer of the parade, said in a statement.
There will be new carts, led by the cast of Girls5eva – Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Paula Pell, and Busy Philipps – Nelly and Jordan Fisher, while Jon Batiste sits on an alligator-themed cart and Louisiana’s music, food, and entertainment Culture celebrates.
Other celebrities are Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Kelly Rowland, Rob Thomas, Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss, Foreigner, Andy Grammer, Mickey Guyton, Chris Lane, Miss America Camille Schrier, Muppets from “Sesame Street” and the three past and current presenters from Blue’s Clues – Steve Burns, Donovan Patton and Josh Dela Cruz.
Some of the returning balloons will be Astronaut Snoopy, “The Boss Baby”, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, Chase from “Paw Patrol”, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Red Titan from “Ryan’s World”, Papa Smurf from “The Smurfs”, ” Sonic the Hedgehog and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Macy’s Parade is a traditional prelude to the Christmas season, and spectators often line up half a dozen down the line to cheer on about 8,000 protesters, two dozen floats, entertainers, and brass bands.
Last year, the usual 2 1/2 mile route through crowded Manhattan was canceled in favor of concentrating events on a one-block stretch of 34th Street in front of the retailer’s flagship Manhattan store. Many performances were pre-recorded and most of the parade performers were on site to reduce travel expenses. The balloons were tied to special vehicles instead of being controlled by handlers.
This year, visitors can again see the balloons inflated on the day before the parade, provided they present proof of vaccination. Children under the age of 12 can be accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
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