Let’s go to the parade

 

“I'm still passionately interested in what my fellow humans are up to. For me, a day spent monitoring the passing parade is a day well-spent.”

—Garry Trudeau

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

FOR many Pinoys living in New York, the sure thing to be among the three million people expected to line up the Big Apple streets during the fabulous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, is when either they were off duty or they didn’t have work.

In the past, the most popular line we normally heard during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was, “Let’s go to the parade.Tara na.” It’s totally unacceptable to miss the parade when we were free. No other events on that day could match the excitement people feel for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Some spectators travel by groups—including whole families—from other states to watch the colorful parade even if the temperature are not so good.  

In the past seven years, I missed the parade three times. Either the parade occurred on my off day, or I didn’t have work on the day of the parade in those four years that I was “present.”

Present means physically watching in person and lining the parade route; like the other spectators, I also hooted and waved my hands like a child again as the balloons, floats and marching bands made their way from the Upper West Side to Macy's flagship store at Herald Square.

Last year I was lucky to be there again when pandemic was almost over and the parade was back after a TV-only event in 2020. 

 

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As early as eight o’clock in the morning, I buried myself in the “sea of humanity” near the Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue and had a good view of the parade. What a feeling.

About 2.5 million spectators were expected to be in the parade routes during the 96th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year that would kick off Thursday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m. ET local time.

This time, I won’t be physically present.

This year's event would reportedly feature 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 12 marching bands, a host of musical stars and more. Plus 700 clowns and Santa Claus, for good measure.

Spectators getting a jump on the big event can watch the balloons being inflated on Wednesday afternoon, November 23, on the Upper West Side, CNN reported.

The preparations were open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. The area could only be accessed from West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue.

There would be a packed slate of performers, as usual. The 2022 lineup, according to the news, includes Paula Abdul, Jordin Sparks, Dionne Warwick, Betty Who, Big Time Rush, Gloria Estefan with her daughter Emily and grandson Sasha, Sean Paul, Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, and Fitz and the Tantrums. The stars from Peacock's upcoming series Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin—Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland, and Flula Borg—would also make an appearance.

 

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Broadway fans would reportedly be treated to a performance from Lea Michele and the cast of Funny Girl. The casts of The Lion King, Some Like It Hot, and A Beautiful Noise, would also do numbers from their respective shows, as will the Radio City Rockettes. 

For the grand finale, Mariah Carey will belt out her iconic Christmas anthem, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," just before Santa Claus and his sleigh land in front of Macy's on 34th Street in Manhattan.

Four balloons would be making their first trip down the parade route, including Bluey, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Striker, the U.S. Soccer Star, Dino and Baby Dino, and Stuart the Minion.

Spectacular new floats include Geoffrey's Dazzling Dance Party by Toys "R" Us, Baby Shark by Pinkfong and Nickelodeon, People of First Light by Macy's, the Wondership by Wonder, and Supersized Slumber by Netflix, which will celebrate the magical world of the upcoming Netflix movie Slumberland.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

 

Why I love this parade

 

“If  you're not in the parade, you watch the parade. That's life.”

—Mike Ditka

 

By Alex P. Vidal 

 

I HAVE seen many parades these past years in Vancouver, Toronto, California, Washington DC, Texas, Nevada, but nothing could match New York City’s annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a United States tradition that really draws spectators from around the world.

I became the parade’s admirer only two years after I decided to choose New York as my new residence.

When it comes to pomposity, number of giant floats, balloons and world-class performers, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a cut above the rest.

New York will rise again in this year’s parade after the horrible pandemic that sidelined so many big occasions.

Unlike in the previous years when I was away (either I was in New Jersey or in Virginia), I will be luckier once more as I will be near the parade route Thursday morning (I’ll be out from my graveyard shift early at 8 o’clock in the morning). 

Never mind the freezing temperature; I’ll be there by hook or by crook. 

Every year, except in 2020 when COVID-19 began to terrorize the world, dozens of giant balloons and iconic floats with stunning performances have been part of the magic every New Year's Eve.

Last year’s event was a small pandemic occasion, located next to Macy's flagship store in Herald Square, Manhattan.

 

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The parade tomorrow (November 25) will start on the Upper West Side and head toward Central Park West, across Central Park South, and down Sixth Avenue before turning onto 34th Street to Macy's on Broadway.

People have been wondering how many hours go into creating the show; how many people are involved in the parade; what’s the height of the tallest balloon; and how many gallons of paint are used in all the designs.

The last answer is 240 gallons, along with 375 brushes, according to a Marca report.

This year marks the parade’s 95^th year for the annual celebration that is famously recognized as the kick-off of the holiday season has been around for quite sometime.

The first parade took place in 1924, and was cancelled during 1942, 1943 and 1944 due to World War II, added the Marca report.

Once again, giant character helium balloons will be featured this year.

The balloons-from big character balloons like Pillsbury Dough Boy, Snoopy, and Pikachu and newcomers Ada Twist, Scientist and Baby Yoda, aka Grogu, to the smaller holiday balloons-will be inflated on the Upper West Side early on Wednesday (November 24).

 

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The inflation will be reportedly open to the public between 12 and 6 p.m., and in addition to vaccinated guests, there will be capacity limits to ensure social distancing.

This year's tallest balloon is 62 feet high (Diary of A Wimpy Kid), the longest balloon is 72 feet wide (Sinclair's DINO), and the widest balloon is 37 feet thick (Tie: Funko's Grogu and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog).

The parade winds through the streets of Manhattan; it begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West and ends in front of the iconic Macy's flagship store on 34th Street in Herald's Square. 

The path crosses Columbus Circle, Central Park South, and 6th Avenue.

Between two and three million people line the streets to watch the action.

There are reportedly 28 floats in all, and each is made up of hundreds of different scenic pieces and structural elements. However, the floats do not drive themselves, as they are towed by trucks driven by members of New York's Theatrical Teamsters, Local 817.

According to Car and Driver, drivers must even wear a jacket and tie to the parade.

(The author, who is now based in the United States, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)