Press Release
New York, NY – November 1, 2016 – This November, America’s favorite holiday tradition will mark a milestone anniversary, once again kicking off the holidays with its signature brand of magical entertainment. On Thursday, Nov. 24, the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® will march down the streets of New York City as millions celebrate with family and friends. The unparalleled spectacle is set to enthrall more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets of Manhattan and more than 50 million viewers on television, with a host of giant character balloons, dazzling floats, the nation’s best marching bands and performance groups, celebrities, and the official entrance of the one-and-only Santa Claus.
“Since our historic first march in 1924, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a call to celebration. Over the years, generations have gathered to enjoy the spectacle of high-flying balloons, fantasy floats, incredible performers, and the one-and-only Santa Claus, as the annual march became synonymous with the start of the holiday season,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “This year, as we celebrate 90 years of magical moments, we are truly humbled by the unique role the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade fills in the lives of millions worldwide, and we are thrilled to celebrate this special milestone with a spectacular line-up filled with amazing new and commemorative elements that will continue our storied legacy of unparalleled holiday entertainment.”
Since its origin in 1924, the Macy’s Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season, introducing a cherished march of magic that has dazzled generations of fans. For the 90thedition, the famed spectacle’s line-up will feature 16 giant character balloons; 27 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonicles and trycaloons; 26 floats; 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers; more than 1,000 clowns; and 16 marching bands and performance groups.
Marching bands are a central piece of the Thanksgiving delights, bringing national excitement and hometown pride to the streets of the Big Apple, not to mention the musical beat to the holiday revelry. Twelve performance ensembles will take up the call of the baton and march down the streets of Manhattan.
MACY’S GREAT AMERICAN MARCHING BAND
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CARY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
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The nation’s biggest and most anticipated Thanksgiving celebration, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, is broadcast nationally on NBC, with millions of families nationwide tuning in to watch the excitement unfold. This year, the TODAY Show’s Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker will host the three-hour broadcast from 9 a.m. – noon (in all time zones). In addition, Telemundo will simulcast the Parade in Spanish with the event hosted by stars Jessica Carrillo and Carlos Ponce. Joining the Parade, as a signature element kicking off the holiday season, will be the world-famous Radio City Rockettes®. The national broadcast would not be complete without showcasing the best theatrical productions. Set for a 34th Street performances will be Holiday Inn, and more of Broadway’s best. In addition, viewers will get a sneak preview performance from NBC’s Hairspray Live!, which premieres Wednesday, Dec. 7 (8 p.m. ET/PT).
The magic of the Parade can be experienced across the country, as the 90th anniversary celebration extends to fans from coast-to-coast. In early November, the Macy’s Parade Time Traveler app, available for free on the iTunes® App Store or from Google Play, will allow fans the opportunity to interact with history as they experience the magic of the Parade from three different eras. With the app installed, fans can use their smartphone’s camera to transport themselves to Parade’s past from the 1930s, 1960s and 1980s in amazing live-action virtual reality. In addition, the app will allow fans to take a selfie in the past, and create their own Parade by collecting historic, virtual balloons at Macy’s stores across the country.
In addition to the time-traveling app, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade stickers app, available for free today from the iTunes App Store or from Google Play, or through messaging platforms including Tango, Paltalk® and Blackberry® Messenger, will add a dose of Parade whimsy to text messages this holiday season.
For an insider’s look at the holiday procession, fans nationwide should check macys.com/parade for regular updates including behind the scenes previews, interactive historical information, and more. For more information on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, please visit macys.com/parade. Follow @macys and join the conversation at #MacysParade on various social networks.
