Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade: It’s Happening
As expected for 2020, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be scaled down to comply with coronavirus safety protocols.
Macy’s announced that it had to “reimagine” the upcoming 94th edition of the parade on November 26 and said it’ll be staged in a manner similar to its Fourth of July fireworks show.
In a statement to press, Macy’s said in part, “Following our successful, safe and innovative production of Macyās 4th of July Fireworks, it is our intention to similarly reimagine Macyās Thanksgiving Day Parade this November.”
This year’s Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show staged and recorded at several small displays across the five boroughs in the days leading up to the Independence Day show on NBC. Each display lasted just five minutes to avoid drawing crowds.
In this year’s show, televised by NBC, parade events will be staged over two days, the overall number of participants will be reduced by approximately 75% and “all participants will be appropriately socially distanced.”
NBC News reports that the traditional 2.5-mile parade route will not be a part of this year’s event. High school and college marching bands from around the country who were invited to perform this year will have their appearances deferred until 2021, with local professional marching bands taking their place.
The parade’s trademark massive balloons will still be in play this year, but “without the traditional 80-100 handlers.”
