A recap – NBC New York

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade It rained on Thursday and was briefly disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

New York police said they arrested at least 21 people after protesters sat in the parade with Palestinian flags and a “Do Not Celebrate Genocide” banner.

People protesting Israel’s war in Gaza also disrupted last year’s parade.

Due to the rainy weather, this year’s parade saw lots of ponchos and umbrellas, as well as the usual giant balloons, floats and star-studded performances.

The latest edition of the annual holiday tradition featured new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo- and pasta-themed floats, an ode to Big Apple coffee and bagels, performances by Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel and Kylie Minogue, and more.

The lineup was very different from the parade’s first incarnation a century ago, which featured scenes from Mother Goose, Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Miss Muffet and the Spider, and other fairy tales.

But some things remained the same. As in 1924, there are lots of marching bands and lots of clowns, followed by the grand finale of Santa Claus riding through Manhattan, kicking off the holiday season.

This year’s parade featured 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 balloons, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.

Other highlights included reality TV star Ariana Madix hip-hops T-Agri, country duo Dan + Shay, War and Treaty, The Temptations, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Broadway veteran Lea Salonga and “Glow” actress and Macy’s spokesperson Alison Brie.

A new buoy attracted attention Rao’s food brand, Featuring a knight and a dragon in battle with real pasta elements. Another celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Bronx Zoo with representations of tigers, giraffes, zebras and gorilla.

Sarah Wallace tells us what happened at the parade.

“The work we do, the opportunity to impact millions of people and bring some joy for a few hours on Thanksgiving morning, is what motivates us every day,” said Will Coss, executive producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The parade began at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ended at noon 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away at the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, which served as a stage and backdrop for the performances.

The rain can’t stop anything – the parade was held in World War II from 1942 to 1944. It has only been canceled three times during World War II – but organizers monitor wind speeds throughout the festivities to make sure the large balloons are safe to fly.

Temperatures are in the upper 40s F, rain is falling throughout the morning, and winds are around 10 miles (16 km) per hour; This is within the acceptable range to allow Snoopy, Bluey and friends to fly. New York City law prohibits Macy’s from flying full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 37 km/h or gusts exceed 36 km/h.

The parade airs on NBC with hosts Savannah Guthrie. Hoda Kotb And Al Roker and streams on the network’s Peacock service. Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza will host the Spanish simulcast on Telemundo.

Have you ever wondered how the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started? Join NBC New York’s Jennifer Vázquez for a historical review of this beloved event and how immigrant communities helped create this tradition.