Three MILLION people line NYC streets for Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

Al Roker misses his first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 27 years after health scare – but the show must go on as Lea Michele kicks off the annual spectacular and three MILLION spectators line NYC streets in the sun to watch the floats

  • About 3 million people are expected to attend the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan as the weather warms up and skies are clear 
  • The parade will feature 16 giant characters, 28 floats, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns and several music stars 
  • Performers in the parade include Paula Abdul, The Roots, Jimmy Fallon, Jordan Sparks 
  • Broadway singer Lea Michele kicked off the festivities with a performance of ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ from her Broadway Show ‘Funny Girl’ 
  • Notably missing is Today Show host Al Roker, who will be absent for the first time in 27 years  after being hospitalized for blood clots
  • Mariah Carey is set to be the grand finale performer as she performs ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ at the Macy’s store in Herald Square 

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Crowds of what’s expected to be 3 million people are gathering Manhattan’s streets to catch the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

With temperatures rising to a high of 50 on Thursday morning along with clear skies, spectators should have a clear view of the 16 giant balloon characters set to fly at 9 a.m. 

While all eyes will be on the parade, viewers may notice the absence of The Today Show’s Al Roker, who will miss the event for the first time in 27 years after being hospitalized for blood clots. 

Yet the show went on without the popular host as Broadway singer Lea Michele kicked off the festivities with a performance of ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ from her Broadway Show ‘Funny Girl.’ 

Along with the iconic balloons, the parade will also feature 28 floats, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns and several music stars are set to make their way through on Thanksgiving Day.

Organizers said the parade will begin in the city’s Upper West Side and end at Macy’s iconic store at Herald Square.

The attendance is predicted to include 500,000 more people than last year. The 2020 parade was a TV-only festival due to the pandemic. 

Broadway singer Lea Michele kicked off the annual Thanksgiving Day parade with a dazzling performance

Broadway singer Lea Michele kicked off the annual Thanksgiving Day parade with a dazzling performance 

About 3 million people are expected to attend the 96th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan as the weather warms up and skies are clear for the giant balloons, including of the iconic Ronald McDonald

About 3 million people are expected to attend the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan as the weather warms up and skies are clear for the giant balloons, including of the iconic Ronald McDonald 

Lea Michele performed "Don't Rain on My Parade" from her Broadway Show "Funny Girl"

Lea Michele performed ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ from her Broadway Show ‘Funny Girl’

Organizers said the parade will begin in the city's Upper West Side and end at Macy's iconic store at Herald Square

 Organizers said the parade will begin in the city’s Upper West Side and end at Macy’s iconic store at Herald Square

Crowds have been forming by the parade route all morning along New York City Streets

Crowds have been forming by the parade route all morning along New York City Streets

Among the newest balloons hitting the skies will be popular Grogu from the Star Wars franchise

Among the newest balloons hitting the skies will be popular Grogu from the Star Wars franchise 

Scores of Star Wars themed balloon carriers dressed snuggly as the carried the baby Yoda character

Scores of Star Wars themed balloon carriers dressed snuggly as the carried the baby Yoda character

Along with the balloons, 28 floats will be making their way to Herald Square. Pictured: Lego's Brick-Changer float

Along with the balloons, 28 floats will be making their way to Herald Square. Pictured: Lego’s Brick-Changer float 

Late night host Jimmy Fallon (left) posed with Paula Abdul (right) as the are set to perform during the parade

Late night host Jimmy Fallon (left) posed with Paula Abdul (right) as the are set to perform during the parade 

Notably missing is Today Show host Al Roker (pictured), who will be absent for the first time in 27 years after being hospitalized for blood clots

Notably missing is Today Show host Al Roker (pictured), who will be absent for the first time in 27 years after being hospitalized for blood clots

Performers in the parade include Paula Abdul, The Roots, Jimmy Fallon, Jordan Sparks, Big Time Rush, and Gloria Estefan, who will appear with her daughter and grandson. 

Mariah Carey is set to be the grand finale performer as she performs ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ at the Macy’s store in Herald Square. 

Along with giant balloon classics like Ronald McDonald, this year’s parade will premier ‘Striker the U.S. Soccer Star’ in celebration of the World Cup. Some of the balloons are as high as four-story buildings. 

Snoopy was among the many mainstays of the parade, appearing in his NASA suit as the longest-running character to appear at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Along with the balloon characters, spectators are also eager to see the iconic Tom Turkey and Santa Clause floats as they mark the start of the holiday season.  

The parade also features 12 marching bands who will perform down the New York City Streets

The parade also features 12 marching bands who will perform down the New York City Streets

Pictured: Kids in flower costumes sing along as they take part in the annual Thanksgiving day parade

Pictured: Kids in flower costumes sing along as they take part in the annual Thanksgiving day parade

Pictured: Parade organizers prepping the ever prevalent Snoopy balloon, this time dressed as an astronaut

Pictured: Parade organizers prepping the ever prevalent Snoopy balloon, this time dressed as an astronaut  

Pictured: The Sinclair Oil Dino and Baby Dino balloon being prepped on Thursday morning

Pictured: The Sinclair Oil Dino and Baby Dino balloon being prepped on Thursday morning 

Along with Snoopy, one of the oldest balloon characters include Ronald McDonald (pictured)

 Along with Snoopy, one of the oldest balloon characters include Ronald McDonald (pictured) 

The Kevin the Minion balloon is being inflated during the 96th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Kevin the Minion balloon is being inflated during the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 

As in years past, the New York Police Department blocked off all vehicle access points to the parade route with sand-filled garbage trucks, other heavy vehicles and approximately 360,000 pounds of concrete barriers.

Police presence has also been ramped up given recent shootings in the nation and threats against New York’s Jewish community. 

‘In light of recent events, specifically the shooting in the nightclub in Colorado Springs and the arrest of two individuals for posting threatening statements online to Jewish targets, the counterterrorism bureau will deploy additional resources to ensure that festivities across the city are safe for all,’ Assistant Chief Martine Materasso, who heads the NYPD’s Counterterrorism Bureau, said at an Upper West Side press conference.

source: dailymail.co.uk