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PHOTO ESSAY BY DONNA ACETO | Cloudy skies and a chilly breeze did little to dampen the holiday cheer at the 90th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as millions of happy spectators turned out on the Upper West Side and in Midtown — and tens of millions tuned in on television.
Beginning at Central Park West and 77th Street — where on Thanksgiving Eve crowds gathered to watch the massive balloons being blown up — the parade traveled around Central Park to Sixth Avenue, where it headed south to Herald Square before turning right on 34th Street on the way to the Macy’s flagship store. With Santa Claus riding in the place of honor at the parade’s conclusion, the parade marks the annual start to the Christmas Season in New York.
This year’s performers included Tony Bennett, who appeared with Miss Piggy to sing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and Sarah McLachlan. Among the many favorite balloons, one was particularly special — Felix the Cat was modeled after one first used in the 1927 parade, in the event’s fourth year, and last seen 85 years ago.
