On November 24th, 2011, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marks its 85th year for the annual celebration. The parade takes place in New York City, ending at the iconic Macy’s Herald Square store on 34th Street in Manhattan.
Each year the parade is broadcast into the living room of millions of homes. It is broadcast again this year on NBC. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs live in NBC, with the festivities getting started at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 8:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.
The telecast lasts for three hours and includes an impressive line up of talent. Performers at the annual parade include marching bands, clowns, floats, balloons, singers, Broadway performers, actors and other celebrity guests.
The talent in the parade changes from year to year and usually features some of the hottest talent for the current year. For 2011, the hosts of the parade on NBC are Ann Curry, Matt Lauer and Al Roker.
According to Holiday Hacks, a host of new Broadway shows are performing musical numbers during the parade. The shows you can expect to see include “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” (including Daniel Radcliffe), “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” “Sister Act” and “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark.” Also appearing are the Radio City Rockettes and kids from Camp Broadway and Stagedoor Manor.
New balloons for the 2011 include Tim Burton’s B.Boy, Paul Frank’s Julius monkey, Sonic the Hedgehog and the Aflac Duck. Other balloons you will see are:
Buzz Lightyear Clumsy Smurf Diary of a Wimpy Kid Kermit the Frog Kung Fu Panda Pikachu with Pokeball Pillsbury Doughboy Ronald McDonald Sailor Mickey Snoopy the Flying Ace Spider-Man Spongebob SquarePants Super Cute Hello Kitty Big Man Santa Blue and Gold Ornament Power Rangers Samurai Charlie, Kit and CJ Holiday Elves Frieda the Dachshund Gazer the Elf Green Candy Cane Green Macy’s Star KOOL-AID Man Uncle Sam Yellow Stars Virginia
New floats for 2011 include the Zhuniverse and NHL’s Frozen Fall Fun. Other floats you will see include:
1-2-3 Sesame Street Big Apple Float Bridge To The Future Christmas in Central Park Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure Elves Raise the Roof Gift of Freedom Home Baked Goodness International CeleBEARation Clock Tower Jolly Polly Pirate Ship Local Heroes Helping Every Day Marion-Carol Showboat Mount Rushmore’s American Pride On The Roll Again P.B. Polar Bear Pep Rally Santa’s Sleigh Santaland Express Smurf Mushroom Snoopy’s Dog House Tom Turkey True Spirit of Thanksgiving Woodland Family Gathering Zhuniverse
Some of the bands you will see in the parade include:
Carmel Marching Greyhounds Band (IN) Dobyns-Bennett Marching Band (TN) “Na Koa Ali’i” Hawaii All State Marching Band (HI) Homestead High School Mighty Marching Band (CA) Homewood Patriot Band (AL) Legacy High School Lightning Marching Band (CO) Macy’s Great American Marching Band (USA) Miami University Marching Band (OH) Nation Ford High School Marching Band (SC) NYPD Marching Band (NYC) Plymouth – Canton Educational Park Marching Band (MI)
In addition, Parade fans across the country will get an exclusive look at what it takes to create decades of magic when “The 85th Anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” special airs on NBC nationwide, on Thursday, November 24th, from 10-11 p.m. EST, check local listings. Hosted by Matt Lauer, the special features a look back at 85 years of one of America’s greatest holiday traditions including the floats, balloons and performances that make the show one of the most watched spectacles every year.
“2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Celebrity Line-up,” Holiday Hacks
Macy’s, “85 Years of Wonder: The 85th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® Returns To Kick-Off The Holidays with its Giant Helium Balloons, Floats of Fancy, Marching Bands, Celebrities, Performance Groups and The One and Only Santa Claus,” PR News Wire