It was a beautiful, brisk (but not too cold) Thanksgiving Day in NYC. We had front row seats (facing west) on West Central Park Blvd., just down the street from our apartment bldg. There were about 38 in total of NY temple missionaries, some of their family members, and other full-time missionaries working in NY. I'll attempt to identify some of the photos. The male temple missionaries fared the early hours to set up chairs and roped off our "territory" about 4:00 am and the second shift followed at 6:30 am until 8:00. All the rest of us gathered at that time, nestled in with muffins, hot chocolate, etc. preparing for the BIG EVENT. Enjoy a little of the world's largest and mosts famous parade. It's real!!
We snapped an early AM photo of 65th street (out our bedroom window about 6:00 am before the parade began. You will see ABC TV window with a rolling telethon of the daily weather and occurrence around the world. All the trees in this area are lighted and alive anticipating Christmas. We're in the spirit!
 |
| Looking north toward the ABC TV studio across the street early "T" Day |
 |
On 65th west and Central Park, the street was swarming with police, police dogs, paddy wagons, helicopters, etc. preparing for any incident. Luckily, nothing occurred! |
 |
| Police with machine guns!! We were well protected. |
 |
| The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade officially passed by our seats at 9:15 AM. |
 |
| Happy Thanksgiving to all! |
 |
| Gobble...gobble. |
 |
McDonald Mobile
|
 |
| Looking southeast in the early dawn before the parade. |
 |
| Helium balloons everywhere-here you see the Koolaid man1 |
 |
| So fascinating to see multiple men/women walking the 4-5 miles on stilts! |
 |
| Ninja Turtles float |
 |
| President Steve Bennion, Elder Rogers and Elder Hawkins, fellow temple missionaries |
 |
| Police Honor Guard received a loud applause! |
 |
| Yes, there are police on horseback in the city. |
 |
| Flamenco dancers-hispanic representation |
 |
| Looking north as the parade traveled south toward 32nd street/Macy's |
 |
| Another brave soul on stilts. |
 |
| A group from mainland China. |
 |
| This group of "Stompers" were hilarious with quite the 'moves'! |
 |
| A KFC float with "Utah" on its float. |
 |
| Group of jump ropers who "jumproped from 72nd street to 32nd. They are in incredible shape, to say the least. |
 |
| Paddington bear. |
 |
| To move these helium balloons, it required from 20 to 40 men/women walking and manipulating them. Quite a feat. |
 |
| More stilts. |
 |
| All the world loves a parade! |
 |
| Top notch high school band from Indiana. |
 |
| "Build a Bear" float |
 |
| Another man on stilts-simply amazing! |
 |
| Who is this young people? |
 |
| A Scottish bagpiper band represented. |
 |
| Lots of participants dressed in fun costumes having more fun than they deserved! |
 |
| Pillsbury Dough Boy |
 |
| Group across the street brought bags and bags of white confetti (which looked like snow) and had fun throwing it on the policemen (who seemed to enjoy the attention and fun). |
 |
| I know this one! The "Elf on the Shelf!" |
 |
| Snoopy and Peanuts |
 |
| Snoopy!! |
 |
| More stilted men dressed as Christmas trees. |
 |
| Santa Claus finally appeared on the Hallmark Channel float. |
 |
| "Believe, "believe" balloons dawned the last float! Yes, we BELIEVE! |
We had the parade turned on, but I only saw snippets of it while I was cooking. I remember seeing Sponge Bob Square Pants! How fun to have such great seats.
ReplyDeleteWe took the kids there many years ago. The Barney balloon got tangled on some street lights due to high winds and was in danger of coming down into the crowd. A policeman nearby drew his gun and shot several holes to release air out of the balloon. Cordy has never been the same after witnessing Barney being shot by the police.
ReplyDelete