COVID claimed another victim, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy’s announced today the traditional parade was canceled in favor of a spectator-free virtual event. It’s the first time since World War II that the parade hasn’t gone on as scheduled.
According to a statement from Macy’s “For the first time in its more than 90-year history, the annual Macy’s Parade will be modified to safely bring the magic to more than 50 million viewers nationwide on Thanksgiving Day, while maintaining all of the spectacle and wonder of this cherished holiday tradition. This year the celebration will shift to a television only special presentation, showcasing the Macy’s Parade’s signature mix of giant character helium balloons, fantastic floats, street performers, clowns and heralding the arrival of the holiday season with the one-and-only Santa Claus.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “New York City is always proud to join Macy’s to ring in the holiday season with New Yorkers and viewers around the world. We’ve worked closely with the Macy’s team on a safe and creative plan this year, and we look forward to keeping this tradition going on Thanksgiving Day.”
No High School Bands and No Balloon Handlers
Macy’s announced the following changes to the parade.
- High school and college marching bands scheduled to perform in the parade will be deferred until the 2021 parade. New York City area professional marching band and music groups will take their place.
- Instead of marching the traditional parade route, acts will stay in Herald Square
- The traditional public balloon inflation event is canceled.
- No one under 18 may participate in the parade.
- All participants must wear masks and maintain social distance.
- Human balloon handlers will be replaced by specially rigged vehicles.
One thing will stay the same, the time of the TV broadcast. The 94th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide on NBC-TV, Thursday, November 26, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, in all time zones. For more information visit macys.com/parade.
