**Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Celebrates 100 Years with New and Exciting Entrants**

A century after its inception, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to New York City on Thursday with fresh, exciting additions like new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, alongside zoo and pasta-themed floats. Spectators can look forward to musical performances by Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel, marking a significant evolution from the parade's humble beginnings in 1924.

Originally, the parade featured floats depicting scenes from classic fairy tales such as Mother Goose, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, and Miss Muffet and the Spider. While it has grown in scale and star power, some elements remain unchanged. The tradition of marching bands and festive clowns continues, concluding with Santa Claus arriving in Manhattan to officially usher in the holiday season.

This year's parade will showcase 17 giant helium-filled character balloons and 22 intricately designed floats. In addition, attendees can enjoy 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, performances by 11 marching bands, and acts from 10 specially curated performance groups. The event will also feature 700 clowns and appearances by award-winning singers and actors, along with the celebrated WNBA champions, the New York Liberty.

Among the new highlights is a float featuring the Rao's food brand, showcasing a battle scene between a knight and a dragon crafted from actual pasta elements. Another float commemorates the Bronx Zoo's 125th anniversary, featuring detailed representations of zoo favorites like a tiger, a giraffe, a zebra, and a gorilla.

Will Coss, the executive producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, emphasized the team's dedication to bringing joy to millions for a few hours on Thanksgiving morning. The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan's Upper West Side and concludes around noon at Macy's Herald Square on 34th Street, which doubles as a stage and scenic backdrop for the event.

The parade will proceed rain or shine, having only been canceled three times from 1942-1944 during World War II. Parade organizers will monitor wind speeds to ensure the safety of the balloons. The current forecast expects rain with temperatures in the upper 40s and winds around 10 mph, which is within the safe range for the balloons to fly. New York City law restricts the flying of full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph or wind gusts surpass 35 mph.

The event will be broadcast on NBC with hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, and will also stream on Peacock. A Spanish simulcast will be available on Telemundo, hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.