Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is returning with a full crowd after going virtual last year

Gothamist

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this year's 95th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature the usual giant balloons and in-person overpacked crowds after going virtual last year due to the pandemic. "On Thanksgiving Day, the spectacle will once again delight New York City spectators and a national television audience with its signature mix of giant character helium balloons, fantastic floats, marching bands, performance groups, celebrities, clowns, and the one-and-only Santa Claus," Macy's said in a statement. Last year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was radically pared down, with no crowd and many pre-taped performances, plus a smaller mix of live and pre-taped balloons traveling only one block because of the pandemic, resulting in a strange and underwhelming event. Macy's says all volunteer participants and staff will be required to be vaccinated and they must wear masks. They've also reduced the number of participants by 10% to 20%, or about 800 to 1,600 fewer participants. Despite that reduction, Macy’s says that its signature giant character balloons will once again be flown with 80-100 handlers, up from last year's 25 per balloon. “We are thrilled to welcome back in its full form the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a world-renowned celebration that ushers in the magic of being in New York City during the holiday season,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “We applaud Macy’s work to creatively continue this beloved tradition last year and look forward to welcoming back Parade watchers to experience it safely, live and in person this November.”