Macy’s Department Store hosted its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, NY today putting on a show for thousands of New Yorkers as well as millions of TV watchers around the world. Known for its famous balloons, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a staple of Thanksgiving celebration for decades. Here are a few photos of some of the balloons that flew high above the streets of NYC today and some deets about the parade itself:

A high-kicking Kung Fu Panda and a diary-toting Wimpy Kid joined the giant balloon lineup as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade unfolded Thursday, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to the annual extravaganza on a chilly, overcast morning. As millions more watched the live broadcast on television, entertainers on tap included Kanye West, Gladys Knight, Keri Hilson, Jessica Simpson and Colombian rocker Juanes. The Broadway casts of “American Idiot” and “Elf” were scheduled to perform, along with marching bands from across the United States. Another new balloon character was Virginia O’Hanlon, the 8-year-old girl whose letter to the editor elicited the response, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” Returning balloons included Smurf, Pillsbury Doughboy and Spider-Man – the last with a new fan in Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He said in a CBS interview that he had traditionally favored Snoopy, but after the Marvel Entertainment character was involved in a recent event promoting city services for job-seekers, “Spidey is my new favorite.” Other celebrities expected at the parade include India Arie, Keri Hilson, Arlo Guthrie and Miranda Cosgrove. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1924 when employees from the department store marched in costume from Harlem to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. The parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 because rubber and helium were needed for World War II, making Thursday’s parade the 84th.

You simply cannot talk Thanksgiving here in America and not talk about The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Cities all around the country do their own Thanksgiving Day Parades (including my beloved Detroit, MI … which my high school marching band used to march in on those COLD November mornings back my hey day) but none as grand as Macy’s parade in NYC. I understand today’s parade was a lot of fun to watch (it’s airing here on the West Coast right now) with a bunch of fun musical performances. Check back later, I’ll be posting one of the better musical performances from today’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from one of my fave artists ;)

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]