Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

80 years
and it is still raining ...

Since I live so close to the start of the parade, there really was no excuse not to swing by and partake in this American classic. Macy's crew begins staging and filling up the balloons the day before Thanksgiving. It is so fun to join the crowds winding between 77th St. and 81st St. between Central Park West and Amsterdam. At night the balloons look so vibrant and colorful, glowing in the flood lights. A light rain didn't deter the crowds. I find the faces of the children, many riding on the sholders of their parents, beautifully expressive.

The night brought tons of rain. I contemplated skipping the parade but my sister work me up with a phone call. I checked NY1 to see if they'd be flying and sure enough, the baloons were set to go. I fought the packed streets to enjoy the festivities. The handlers held the baloons close to the ground so they seemed a bit more imposing than normal, hovering over street crowds like alien crafts coming into land. The kids were all waiting for their favorites - Spongebob, Dora, Pikachu with flashing red cheeks. Santa closes out the parade. Dang, his elves are a bit too happy. Enjoy some of these pictures and more on my Flickr photo set.