Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in US goes off without an incident in heavy security blanket
Shadow of Islamic State threat and attacks in other places hang over parade as Americans celebrate Thanksgiving
Thousands of people lined the streets Thursday amid heavy security including bomb-sniffing dogs and portable radiation detectors as iconic inflatable balloons, costumed characters and clowns floated, marched and danced their way through New York City for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Revellers cheered and yelled, “Thank you!” as police walked the parade route, and the crowd gave special attention to the New York Police Department marching band.
Spectators — sometimes standing 10 deep — held signs and balloons as they watched Santa Claus and his reindeer, Ronald McDonald and SpongeBob SquarePants pass by. Charlie Brown led the signature balloons as the parade kicked off with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting before the parade made its way down to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street.
Clowns carrying bundles of balloons rode down the parade route as marching bands from across the country entertained revellers. Costumed characters and dozens of celebrities, including singers Tony Bennett and Sarah McLachlan and Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez, were among the attendees.
Annie Quinn travelled more than three hours from Albany to attend the parade with her cousin and two sisters — all three dressed in turkey costumes — scoring prime front-row seats along the route.
“We sat here for hours, but it was worth it,” she said. “This was the best parade I’ve seen in a while.”