Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Big balloons, rainy weather and 21 protesters arrested

NEW YORK — Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Despite heavy rain and brief disruption from pro-Palestinian demonstrators, it marched, rose and roared into its second century on Thursday.

New York police said they arrested 21 people after protesters jumped barricades and took the parade route carrying Palestinian flags and a “Do Not Celebrate Genocide” banner. “Free, free Palestine!” They shouted slogans. A giant Ronald McDonald balloon descends on Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue.

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

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.

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 formation was very different from the parade’s first incarnation 100 years ago; There were floats showing 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 were lots of marching bands and lots of clowns, followed by the grand finale of Santa Claus that kicked off the holiday season.

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

Other highlights included reality TV star Ariana Madix hip-hops T-Agri, country duo Dan + Shay, War and Treaty, Temptations by 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.

“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 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) 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.

The rain didn’t stop anything – the parade continued during World War II from 1942 to 1944. It was canceled only three times during World War II – but organizers monitored wind speeds to make sure the large balloons were safe to fly.

Temperatures hovered around 50 degrees F (10 degrees C), while rain fell throughout the morning and winds were around 10 miles (16 km) per hour; which was within the acceptable range to allow Snoopy, Bluey and friends to fly. City codes prohibit Macy’s from flying full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 37 km/h or gusts exceed 36 km/h.