-
T-Day preview: A Smurfy parade
Photo credit: Urbanite
Special to amNewYork
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday will be a little different than the 81 celebrations before it: It will be Smurfy.
Thirteen huge inflatables will float above this year’s parade, including three firsts: a Smurf, Dr. Seuss’ Horton the Who and Buzz Lightyear.
“I’m excited for the Smurf float because my dad used to love the Smurfs as a kid and he’s taking me to the parade,” said 9-year-old Brett P., a New Jersey resident who’s been going to the parade since he was 2.
The parade officially kicks off the holiday season with more than 10,000 participants, including marching bands, cheerleaders, and performance groups. More than 3.5 million people flood the parade route, and more than 50 million viewers tune in on television.Some New Yorkers will be busy cooking or traveling and plan to see the blowing up of the balloons tonight. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. the public can catch the action on the Upper West Side: Enter at West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue.
Lorraine Flaherty and her 7- and 10-year-old daughters are going to watch the parade on television, even though they’ve come all the way from Seattle to New York for the holiday. Flaherty grew up in Manhattan and used to go to the parade as a child.
“It’s too crowded now, and you have to get there so early. It’s no fun anymore,” she said.
IF YOU GO:
The 2.5-mile parade route begins at 77th St and Central Park West and ends at 34th St and Seventh Avenue. The holiday tradition begins at 9 a.m., but people start arriving as early as 6 a.m. Here are the recommended spots to watch the parade:
• Central Park West from 75th Street to Columbus Circle.
• Broadway between Columbus Circle and 36th Street.
• Limited spots on the south side of 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
• Questions? Call the Macy’s hotline at 212-494-4495 or visit macysparade.com
Photo: AP
- Follow Us
advertisement | advertise on am New York
advertisement | advertise on am New York
Partners
Search cars
