Millions Come Out to Watch Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

There were some new balloons this year in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Paul Frank's sock puppet-inspired simian Julius made its debut in front of millions of spectators Thursday, as did fellow newcomer B., a freakish creation from filmmaker Tim Burton.

A festive mood prevailed as the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade made its way through the crowded streets of Manhattan beneath brilliant sunshine.

One spectator was 20-year-old au pair Anne Katherine from Denmark. She said it was much better watching the parade live than on T.V. "I didn't expect that many people and I didn't expect all the, what do you call it, cheering. The cheering," she said. She spent most of the parade with one eye on her charge, a seven year old perched on top of a minivan for a better view.

Frank's Julius and Burton's B. joined more than a dozen other giant balloons, including fan favorites like Snoopy and Spider-Man.

"Here comes Snoopy!" said an excited Regan Lynch, 5, nudging her grandfather, Nick Pagnozzi.

Pagnozzi, 59, of Saddle River, N.J., drove into the city at 6 a.m. to get a seat on the bleachers along Central Park West. Regan wanted to make sure he took pictures of every balloon.

In all, the parade featured more than 40 balloon creations, 27 floats, 800 clowns and 1,600 cheerleaders. The star power included Mary J. Blige, Cee Lo Green, Avril Lavigne and the Muppets of Sesame Street. Some performances were at a stage at the end of the route in Herald Square; others were on floats.

About 3.5 million people were expected to crowd the Manhattan parade route on Thursday, while an additional 50 million watched from home.

The parade began at 77th Street and heads south on Central Park West to Seventh Avenue, before moving to Sixth Avenue and ending at Macy's Herald Square.

On Wednesday, thousands of people watched as returning favorites, such as Buzz Lightyear, Kermit the Frog and other huge balloons took shape in preparation for their walk in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Workers began inflating the balloons at 3 p.m. Wednesday near the parade kick-off site around the Natural History Museum.

Macy's Parade Studio chief designer John Piper said it's always a kick when the giant balloons are inflated with helium. "The balloons are all flat when they are, and they grow. Next thing we know my whole team is up in the air," he said. All the balloons are created at Macy's Parade Studio, and each undergoes testing for flight patterns, aerodynamics, buoyancy and lift.

Nine-year-old Lindsay Ravetz said she loved seeing all the characters.

"It's just, like, cool," she said.

It was cool even for many of the adults. Leslie McCarthy, who said she's over 60, has been attending the parade since she was a little girl. And the excitement of seeing the big balloons hasn't worn out.

"I used to think this parade was put on for me," the Brooklyn resident said.

It looks like the weather will cooperate for the parade. Meteorologist Joe Pollina said Thanksgiving Day looks dry, but there could be some wind gusts in the 20 mph range, he said.

Orlando Veras, a spokesman with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, said the parade goes on rain or shine. But sustained winds more than 23 mph, or gusts more than 34 mph, could ground the event's 15 larger balloons.

Balloon handler Joe Sullivan, a retired banker, held one of six nylon lines securing a huge floating pumpkin. He's been volunteering in the parade for more than 15 years.

"When it's windy it's a struggle," he said. "But today is great weather. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Also making their first appearances at this year's parade are a pair of bike-powered balloons, one featuring a bulldog character and an elf balloon designed by Queens resident Keith Lapinig, who won a nationwide contest.

With reporting from PJ Vogt and the Associated Press