BY: Evan Justice
Originally speculated to be canceled, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will indeed be held this year. However, due to COVID-19, the annual event will look much different.
In early September, Macy’s announced that although they were moving forward with plans to put on the annual parade, the event would be limited to a TV-only event; it is the first time a move like this has been made in the nearly 100 years the event has been held. This means no live crowds will be able to come to watch the parade balloons and floats marching down New York City’s 34th Street.
Other than having no live audience, there are many other changes that had to be made to allow the parade to be held. While Macy’s confirmed that balloons, floats, performers, and Santa Claus will all still be part of the event, there will be no live handlers of the enormous helium-filled balloons usually seen floating throughout New York City. Instead of live handlers, the balloons will be supported by specially designed armored vehicles.
All live performances have also been canceled and will be replaced with prerecorded entertainment that follows social distancing guidelines. The invitation for out-of-town entertainment groups, including high school and college marching bands, has been extended to next year’s parade, however.
The usual Thanksgiving Day Parade route, which usually marches from 59th Street to 34th Street, has also been changed. Instead of being displayed throughout the city, all floats and balloons will be contained to the front of the Macy’s flagship in Herald Square. As with the entertainment, the broadcast of the balloons and floats will also be prerecorded.
Macy’s estimates these changes will cut down on the total number of event participants by 75 percent. Usually, the event draws 3.5 million spectators and over 7,500 volunteers. Due to the event being held during flu season, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, Macy’s wants to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone still working tirelessly to bring this event to life.
If anyone is still interested in watching the parade, it will be broadcast on NBC on Thursday, November 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST.