New York City came to life Thursday morning as the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade returned to the streets of Manhattan.
Over three dozen floats, 25 giant balloons and 18 star performers – including Jon Baptiste and Cher – will be the focus of the parade as it travels through the city.
Starting at 8:30 a.m. ET, host Al Roker returns after suffering from several health issues over the past year as he will host the event alongside NBC Today stars Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.
NYPD officers are out in large numbers as this year’s parade comes at a time of heightened tension in the Big Apple and officers are beefing up “robust” security at the parade compared to previous years.
As preparations began Wednesday evening, towering balloons could be seen being inflated at the start of the parade route on the city’s Upper West Side.
New York City came to life as the 97th edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade took over the streets of Manhattan on Thursday morning
Preparations began Wednesday evening when towering balloons were placed along the parade route, which was seen on New York City’s Upper West Side
Twenty-five balloons will tower over the Big Apple, including Baby Yoda, Minions, Ronald McDonald, Red Titan, Kung Fu Panda, Snoopy, Pillsbury Doughboy, Leo and Uncle Dan
This year’s event saw the return of popular host Al Roker, who joined Jimmy Fallon at the family event on Thursday morning
As early as 5 a.m., eager visitors lined the streets to get the best spot for the procession.
The parade route is also expected to feature an increased police presence after several protests broke out over the Middle East crisis in recent weeks and terrorist attacks occurred at the U.S.-Canada border in New York on Wednesday afternoon.
NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban confirmed the security increase when speaking to NBC before the parade began.
“We are working with our federal, state and local partners to ensure everything is safe,” Caban said.
“At this time there are no specific or credible threats to New York City or the parade in general, but the NYPD has been on high alert since October 7th.”
“We encourage all families to come out and enjoy the day,” he added, noting that this year’s event was his first as the city’s police commissioner.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said there was an increased police presence at this year’s event given tensions in the Big Apple, but stressed that there were “no credible threats” to the event
Eighteen artists are also gearing up to take center stage, with music icon Cher joined by acts such as En Vogue, ENHYPHEN, Jessie James Decker, Chicago and Pentatonix
Before the parade began, Macy’s Santa Claus appeared on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange
Workers are seen inflating a giant Goku balloon near Central Park as the city prepares for Wednesday night’s parade
Baby Yoda, Minions, Ronald McDonald, Red Titan, Kung Fu Panda, Snoopy, Pillsbury Doughboy, Leo and Uncle Dan are among the iconic balloons sent to the parade.
The packed parade will feature eighteen performers throughout the event, with Cher set to be the featured performer as she rings in Christmas on Santa’s sleigh to conclude the procession.
NBC host Al Roker is also a welcome guest at this year’s festivities after suffering from several recent health issues.
Roker has co-hosted the parade every year since 1995, but had to miss the parade last November when he was hospitalized with blood clots and internal bleeding.
He will feature a star-studded lineup including En Vogue, ENHYPHEN, Jessie James Decker, Chicago and Pentatonix.
Ensembles from several Broadway shows, including “Shucked” and “Back to the Future: The Musical,” will also perform.
After missing last year’s event for the first time since 1995 due to illness, co-host Al Roker was a welcome guest in his return to the parade