The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be different this year…
Yesterday, September 14th, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the iconic parade will be a virtual event this year, due to coronavirus concerns. In a statement, Macy’s said, “This year the celebration will shift to a television only special presentation, showcasing the Macy’s Parade’s signature mix of giant character helium balloons, fantastic floats, street performers, clowns and heralding the arrival of the holiday season with the one-and-only Santa Claus.”
The floats will be staged at Midtown Manhattan’s Herald Square and will be secured to vehicles instead of by participants holding ropes. Local musical performers will take the place of out-of-state marching bands this year, and Macy’s adds that the total number of participants will be down 75% from last year. Those who do participate will have to wear face masks as well as follow social distancing measures.
The three-hour event usually draws 3.5 million spectators in New York City and more than 50 million viewers on television, and will still be broadcast on NBC at 8AM Central standard time on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th.
