Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade recap: Balloons, wet weather and dozens of protesters arrested

NEW YORK – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marked its second century with a lively show on Thursday, overcoming both heavy rain and a brief protest by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Police detained protesters

New York police said they arrested dozens of people after protesters jumped barricades and sat on the parade route with Palestinian flags and a “Do Not Celebrate Genocide” banner.

RELATING TO: Dozens arrested in Midtown during protests at Macy’s parade: police

According to the Associated Press, “Free, free Palestine!” They shouted slogans. A giant Ronald McDonald balloon descends on Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue. Similar protests disrupted the event last year.

Rainy weather during the parade

The Thanksgiving storm brought rain to the entire parade route, with heavy downpours in some places.

Temperatures hovered around 50 degrees F, rain fell throughout the morning, and winds were around 10 mph; This was within the acceptable range to allow Snoopy, Bluey and friends to fly.

Pikachu & Eevve balloon arrives at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 28, 2024. (Source: Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images)

The parade was canceled only three times during World War II, from 1942 to 1944; however, organizers monitored wind speeds throughout the festivities to ensure the large balloons were safe to fly.

Due to the rainy weather, ponchos and umbrellas were also part of the festivities, along with the usual giant balloons, floats and star-studded displays.

Big balloons, shows

The march continued despite the heavy rain. New balloons featured Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse, and standout floats included a pasta-themed design and a celebration of the Bronx Zoo’s 125th anniversary.

This year’s celebration featured 17 giant balloons, 22 balloons, 11 marching bands and 700 clowns, with performances by Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, Kylie Minogue and more. This was a far cry from the humble beginnings parade of 1924, which featured fairy tale-themed floats and marching bands. But the basic elements of clowns, marching bands and Santa Claus remained unchanged, keeping the holiday tradition alive.

“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 route stretched 4 miles from Manhattan’s Upper West Side to Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, which served as the performance backdrop.

NBC’s Al Roker I walked part of the route before joining co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb outside the store for the remainder of the live TV broadcast. “Bad” movie star Cynthia Erivo presented flowers to the retiring Kotb to commemorate his final parade broadcast.