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Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 2009: Photos And Videos

by Yuliya Talmazan | November 26, 2009 at 09:41 am

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The 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade tool place in New York City at 9 AM EST today. The parade had a new route this year -- the Parade went along Central Park to Columbus Circle, the Parade than moved to Times Square, down on 6th Avenue, and ending on 7th Avenue. The Parade used to take place on Manhattan Island and down Broadway in previous years. The change of the Parade's route was supposed to allow more space for the Parade and spectators. The parade is usually a grandiose spectacle of colorful floats and balloons, and this year was no exception.

Along with the regular parade of bands and mascots, the highlight of this year's parade were the performances from the 2006 American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee, who sang her new single "Had It All." Among other celebrity guests participating in the Parade are Andrea Bocelli, Boys Like Girls, Alan Cumming, Billy Currington, Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Gloria Gaynor, Emily Hughes, Kermit the Frog and Tiffany Thornton, Jane Krakowski, Ziggy Marley with Judah Marley and Miss America 2009 Katie Stam.

The parade was hosted by Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Al Roker.

The parade promises a packed caravan involving around 8,000 participants, 50 balloons, 24 floats, 10 marching bands and over 800 clowns.

Newcomer this year include balloons of the Pillsbury Doughboy, Mickey Mouse as a sailor, Ronald McDonald and Spider-Man. The casts of a few Broadway shows like “Hair,” “Shrek,” “Billy Elliot” and “Bye Bye Birdie” will offer up some song-and-dance numbers.

Previous NowPublic's coverage of the Macy's Parade Route here.