NEW YORK – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marked its second century with a vibrant display on Thursday, overcoming both heavy rain and a brief protest from pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Police arrest protesters
New York City police said they arrested dozens of people after protesters jumped barricades and sat down on the parade route with Palestinian flags and a “Don’t Celebrate Genocide” banner.
RELATED: Dozens arrested in Midtown during protests at Macy’s parade: police
According to The Associated Press, they chanted “Free, free Palestine!” as a giant Ronald McDonald balloon bore down on them on Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue. Last year, similar protests also interrupted the event.
Wet weather during parade
The Thanksgiving Day storm brought rain to the entirety of the parade route with some pockets of heavy downpours.
Temperatures hovered near 50 degrees F, with rain throughout the morning and winds around 10 mph, well within the acceptable range for letting Snoopy, Bluey and their friends soar.
Pikachu & Eevve balloon arrives at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2024 in New York City. (Credit: Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images)
The parade has only been canceled three times, from 1942 to 1944 during World War II — but organizers monitored wind speeds throughout the festivities to make sure it was safe for the big balloons to fly.
Thanks to the wet weather, ponchos and umbrellas were part of the festivities, along with the usual giant balloons, floats and star-studded performances.
Big balloons, performances
Despite the downpour, the parade marched forward. 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 showcased 17 giant balloons, 22 floats, 11 marching bands and 700 clowns, with performances from Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, Kylie Minogue, and more. It was a far cry from the parade’s humble beginnings in 1924, which featured fairy tale-themed floats and marching bands. Yet, the core elements of clowns, marching bands, and Santa Claus remained unchanged, keeping the holiday tradition alive.
“The work that we do, the opportunity to impact millions of people and bring a bit of joy for a couple of hours on Thanksgiving morning, is what motivates us every day,” said Will Coss, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade executive producer.
The parade route stretched 2.5 miles from Manhattan’s Upper West Side to Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, which served as a performance backdrop.
NBC’s Al Roker walked part of the route before joining co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb outside the store for the remainder of the live TV coverage. “Wicked” film star Cynthia Erivo presented the retiring Kotb with flowers to commemorate what could be her last parade broadcast.
