'New York City Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade'

The New York City Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a holiday tradition since 1924. The first parade was organized by Macy's Department store employees for city residents.
This is Broadways longest attraction from 1924 to 2007 and still going.



Facts:

*1924 - The first parade was billed as the Macy's Christmas Day Parade despite being held on Thanksgiving day.
*1927 - The first ballon is Felix the cat.
*1934 - In association with Walt Disney Productions, the Mickey Mouse ballon join the parade.
*1942-44 - Parade was suspended due to World War 2
*1945- Parade returns to New York City, attended by a record 2 million people in the streets of manhattan.
1948 - NBC broadcasted the parade nationally
1958 - Due to a helium shortage ballons were filled with air and suspended from cranes on trucks.
1963 - Parade was held one week after the assasination of President John F. Kennedy
1987- Spiderman, Ronald McDonald, Snuggle Bear and Snoopy Skating ballons joined the parade.
1997 - The Cat- in-the-hat float is blown off course by high winds and injured a parade goer.
2003- The Spanish channel telemundo owned by NBC broadcast parade live.
2007- Shrek is Scheduled to make his first apperance

In 2007, there will be 2.5 million people lining the streets of New York and 60 million television viewers.

The festivities will start the night before the parade. Withins the crew od the parade at work in the evening around the American Museum of national History( between 77th and 81 street and between Central Park West and Columbus Ave.

The parade route:
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Thanks giving Day -Rain or Shine - starts at 77 street and Central Park West and passes MACYS HERALD SQUARE. This is a free event so arrive early to get a nice spot. However, folding chairs are not allowed.