Thanksgiving Day Parade

Chilly temperatures and icy drizzle didn’t deter the crowd from enjoying this year’s Thanksgiving Day parade. (By Abdul Muhiz)

At 9:00 a.m., paradegoers and marchers were gathered at 77th Street and Central Park West.

The parade began with a big cheer from the crowd which had come from far and near to observe.

Eric Breeze travelled from Florida. “It is my first parade and I am enjoying it,” he said.

Characters like Spiderman, Hello Kitty, Paddington, Sprout, Smurf, Wizard of Oz, and Pokémon floated by as the crowd shouted and clapped for their favorite characters.

People held signs that read, “Happy Thanksgiving 2014,” “My Bucket List: Go to the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade,” among others.

“I could feel the same excitement in people and it’s awesome,” said Diego Vegas, 25, an Ecuadorean living in the Bronx.

Families were spending time together at the parade. “It’s our first parade,” said Stalin D., 35 and Gurawda D., 32. “We actually wanted to come out and celebrate. So we drove all the way down from Brooklyn just to see the parade.”

Emile Quinones drove down from upstate New York. “I have been here several times but first time coming to see the parade,” said. “I am having a great time.”

Georgia State University and American Fork High School took part. Marching bands like the NYPD Mounted Unit, the Spirit of America Dance Group, Baldwinsville Bee and HESS all played at the event.

Companies like Macys, McDonald, Delta, Domingo Sugar and Aflac used the event to showcase their brands.

The parade ended at 34th Street at Herald Square by Macys. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were the last float, with Christmas carols playing in the background. As they passed, the crowd joined in to sing Jingle Bells.