NEW YORK (AP) — This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will showcase a vibrant lineup of stars, including reality TV personality Ariana Madix, Broadway sensation Idina Menzel, hip-hop artist T-Pain, members of the WNBA champions New York Liberty, and the popular country duo Dan + Shay.
Joining them will be a diverse range of musical performers such as The War and Treaty, Lea Salonga, Kylie Cantrall, The Temptations, Chlöe, Charli D’Amelio, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Coco Jones, Walker Hayes, Rachel Platten, Bishop Briggs, Joey McIntyre, and Natti Natasha. Ballet dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia will also grace the stage, providing a rich musical experience. The Associated Press received an early glimpse of the lineup.
As a cherished holiday tradition, the parade will take place on November 28, starting at 8:30 a.m. in every time zone. The festivities will be opened by actress Alison Brie, best known for her role in the series “Glow” and currently appearing in Peacock’s “Apples Never Fall.”
Expect an array of visual spectacles this year, including 17 giant character balloons, 22 dazzling floats, and 15 novelty and heritage inflatables. Additionally, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, and 10 performance groups will add to the parade’s charm.
Will Coss, the executive producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, expressed the excitement behind the event, stating, “The work that we do, the opportunity to impact millions and bring a bit of joy for a couple of hours on Thanksgiving morning, is what motivates us every day.” The parade will be broadcast live on NBC and can also be streamed on Peacock. The “Today” show team, including Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, will serve as hosts. A Spanish language simulcast will be available on Telemundo, hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
This year, attendees will be treated to six new character balloons, including Minnie Mouse, “Extraordinary Noorah” featuring The Elf on the Shelf, plus “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” “Goku,” and “Spider-Man.” One highlight will be a 55-foot-tall balloon from “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” showcasing Gabby and Pandy Paws in 10 vibrant shades of pink.
Traci Paige Johnson, co-creator of “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” shared her childhood enthusiasm for the parade, saying, “As a little girl growing up in New Jersey, the Thanksgiving Day parade was what you always tuned into, and the balloons were, of course, the best part.” She also encouraged viewers to keep an eye out for hidden cats in Gabby’s outfit.
Broadway highlights will include performances from “Death Becomes Her,” “Hell’s Kitchen”, and “The Outsiders,” alongside the beloved Radio City Rockettes and dancers from “Riverdance.” New floats will represent various brands, including Disney Cruise Line, Haribo, and Netflix’s “Wednesday,” along with a float and balloon for Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer.”
Notably, a new float will feature the Rao’s food brand, showcasing a knight and dragon engaged in a playful battle, crafted with actual pasta elements, adding a touch of whimsy to the parade.
Marching bands from states including Massachusetts, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, South Dakota, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, and New York will also participate. The New York Liberty players, fresh off their historical WNBA Championship win, will march alongside their popular mascot, Ellie the Elephant.
Preparations for next year’s parade are already underway, as the Macy’s parade team is always working approximately 18 months in advance. Coss described it as “the largest variety show on television.” The big surprise of this year’s finale, traditionally featuring a famous guest before Santa, will be unveiled at a later date, following last year’s appearance by Cher.
___
Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
