Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York

Today I had the chance to observe in person the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. It’s an experience for sure. Since I was young lad, each Thanksgiving Day, I wake up and watch the parade on television. It’s almost like an American staple of Thanksgiving Day. So it was pretty neat to see it in person.

However, it’s totally different observing it in person. Blocks and blocks of New York City are filled with people. You have to get up early and get your place, otherwise you’re stuck behind layers of people. And tons of cameras being held up above heads in hopes of getting a shot.

There were quite a few iconic balloons. The Aflac Duck.

Kool-Aid Man

Uncle Sam

Spider-Man

Energizer Bunny

When I tried to find a better location, walking between blocks ended up being quite an unexpected adventure. The blocks are pretty long, so if you miss a balloon, catching up to it is a bit of a challenge. If only you could fly, err, like the balloons.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

And the finale, Santa Claus.

As soon as Santa passed, the crowd thinned out very quickly. Oh well. Getting to experience the parade was pretty neat. But it’s also nice to be bundled up in a blanket watching the parade from the sofa where it’s warm and not crowded.