• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held annually in New York City on Thanksgiving. The parade is known for its creative floats and balloons representing popular children's characters.

• 1. November 26, 2009Calendar Date: Thanksgiving
  2. Time: 9 a.m. to noon EST
  3. Network coverage: NBC
  4. 2009 marks the 83nd run of the paradeAOL: 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
  5. Also known as: Macy's Day Parade
  6. Parade begins at 77th Street, goes down Central Park West and Broadway and ends at Macy's on 34th StreetNYC Tourist: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route
  7. Course is two and a half miles longMacy's: Thanksgiving Day Parade
  8. Santa Claus arrives at the end of the parade every yearMacy's: Thanksgiving Day Parade

• Macy's Day Parade History

  In 1924, the Macy's department store experimented with the first Thanksgiving day parade, and it was an instant success. The first balloons appeared in 1928. In the 1930s, Macy's began early collaboration with the Walt Disney company, featuring a giant Mickey Mouse balloon. During World War II, the parade was suspended for three years, and the rare rubber used to make the parade's balloons was donated to the war effort.

  Over the years, the parade has become a Thanksgiving tradition. More than 2 million spectators gather in the streets of Manhattan annually for the two and a half mile parade, and even more gather around their television sets to watch NBC's coverage of the event.Macy's: Thanksgiving Day Parade

• 2008 Parade Appearances

  Miley Cyrus, My Princes Academy, Keith Haring, James Taylor and other talent will be appearing in the parade.Virtualization: The 82nd Annual Macy's Day Parade

  Special balloon appearances include Bolt the dog, Buzz Lightyear, Horton and the Smurfs.AOL: 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

  Rick Astley Rick Rolled the parade crowd and TV audience with his appearanceYouTube Video: Rick Astley Rick Roll

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