In 2012 I went to New York City for the 86th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
I stayed at Hotel Pennsylvania on 7th Ave, which is right opposite Penn Station. It was great location wise, but the floor I was staying did feel a little bit like I was in The Shining.
On the Wednesday afternoon I went and saw the balloons being inflated outside the Museum of Natural History. I went in the afternoon as I had read the balloons start to take shape between 1pm and 3pm.
Sailor Mickey being inflated
On Thanksgiving Day I woke in the early hours of the morning to a marching band practicing. This didn’t worry me as I planned to get up early anyway and it added to the experience.
I staked out my spot early (a little after 6am) beneath Radio City Music Hall. Below are some of my photos.
To my American friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hello Kitty
Mr. Pilgrim
Woodland Family Gathering float, Ocean Spray
Tom Turkey float with Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Food Network
Kermit the Frog
Charlie Brown
Kung-Fu Panda
NYPD Mounted Unit
Jimmy Fallon and the Roots
True Spirit of Thanksgiving float, Oneida Indian Nation
Uncle Sam with Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo
Mount Rushmore’s American Pride with Don McLean
Jolly Polly Pirate Ship with Pirate Queen Whoopi Goldberg
Gift of Freedom float
Spiderman
Pikachu
SpongeBob SquarePants
Papa Smurf
The Smurfs
Saratoga High School Marching Band, California
New York City Police Department
Macy’s Great American Marching Band
Diary of a Whimpy Kid
Sailor Mickey, Disney Cruises
Sonic the Hedgehog
Pillsbury Doughboy
Elf on a shelf
Buzz Lightyear
Stirrin’ Up Sweet Sensations float, Domino Sugar
The King Charles Unicycle Troupe
Santa’s sleigh
