2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will Only be a Virtual Event
After a complete shutdown, due to the pandemic, the City of New York is slowly coming back to life. However, the usual crowds attending the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade don’t fit with the plan re-opening.
Because of this, the city has announced an alternative plan for this year’s parade.
credit: Jon Harder / CC BY-SA
New York City officials have been working closely with the team at Macy’s to develop a plan. For the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade they have two goals. Keep the public safe, and maintain the spectacle and wonder that is this holiday tradition.
This week the city unveiled its plans.
The parade itself with still go on with all of its signature floats, performers and of course, Santa Claus. However, this year’s parade will not be open to public attendance. It will instead only be available for viewing on television.
“Under the unique challenges of these unparalleled times, we felt it was important to continue this cherished holiday tradition that has been the opening act to the holiday season for generations of families,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “While it will certainly look different in execution, this year’s Macy’s Parade celebration will once again serve its historical purpose – to bring joy into the hearts of millions across the nation.”
From 9am to 12 noon eastern on November 26, NBC will broadcast the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and stream it online.
The network anticipates a viewing audience in excess of 50 million.
This year marks the 94th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The history of the parade began with collection of Macy’s employees who took to the streets in 1924 dressed as clowns, playing instruments and adorning floats.
The spectacular has grown from there into an American holiday tradition.
Other Changes to the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
To keep everyone in the parade safe, the Macy’s team has implemented some changes. These will operate in line with CDC guidelines, and local and state government protocols.
Part of this means that the parade with not follow its usual 2.5 mile route. Instead the event will be staged around the Herald Square area in Manhattan.
Participants in the parade will all wear masks and maintain social distancing protocols.
To reduce the number of participants this year, the Macy’s team will be utilizing specially designed vehicles to provide and anchor for the massive balloons. This is a task normally requiring up upwards of 100 people per balloon.
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