In my neighborhood Macy’s puts on an annual party – the Thanksgiving Day parade, which takes place two blocks from where I live and features giant balloon characters that thrill kids and grown ups alike. Preparations begin on Wednesday afternoon when the NYPD closes off our block and New Yorkers and visitors stream down the street to the entrance of the Macy’s staging area. There, the balloons are blown up and then weighted down by netting and sandbags until they are rolled out onto Central Park West for the parade.

Take a peek and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here in the U.S. To our overseas friends: we’re taking the holiday weekend off. See you here again on Monday.

Blue Smurf

Snoopy

Sailor Mickey – new for 2009

Buzz Lightyear being inflated

video management, video solution, video streaming

Here they are blowing up Helly Kitty — the sounds on the video are conversations in the crowd and the noise of the air pump

Tags: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons