Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2015 — Photos

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November 25, 2015 11:13AM EST

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Mayor Bill De Blasio helps kick off the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebration.

Mayor Bill De Blasio helps kick off the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebration. — New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio addresses the media along with New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton (left) and Macy’s Ceo Terry Lindgren (right) in front of the balloons inflated and read to head through midtown Manhattan for the Macy’s 89th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City New York on Nov. 25, 2015.

The parade first began in 1924 and it features giant balloons of cartoon characters, pop culture icons and more. The balloons are inflated the night of the parade, before they make their way down 2.5 miles of Manhattan streets while volunteers on the ground walk along with the balloons to keep them tethered from floating away.

Along with the balloons are floats featuring musical guests from various realms, including pop stars. Broadway acts perform along the parade route alongside marching bands from across the country. The parade is telecast nationwide every year by NBC in what has become a Thanksgiving viewing tradition for many families.

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A rollerblading performer excites the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade crowds.

A rollerblading performer excites the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade crowds. — A performer rollerblades with a massive bouquet of balloons down New York’s Sixth Avenue as part of the 89th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2015. Specators look so excited to greet him.

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A policeman bonds with spectators at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A policeman bonds with spectators at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. — A New York City Police officer marching with the NYPD Band shakes hands with spectators who came out to view the 89th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2015. The children looked so excited during the encounter.

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The Spongebob Squarepants balloon makes it’s day through Manhattan.

The Spongebob Squarepants balloon makes it’s day through Manhattan. — The Spongebob Squarepants balloon looked festive with a red Santa cap on. It floated down Central Park South During the 89th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2015, much to the excitement of spectators.

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The Elf on a Shelf baloon as seen during the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

The Elf on a Shelf baloon as seen during the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade — The Elf on the Shelf Balloon thrills spectators as it makes it’s way through the streets of Manhattan during the 89th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradeon Nov. 26, 2015. It was tethered to the parade route by volunteers dressed in matching red elf costumes holding the balloon’s strings.

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