The show went on.
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City took place Thursday but not as we know it. The characteristic crowds of people who line the streets to catch a glimpse of the parade were missing because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spectators of the annual had to view the parade on television.
NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker hosted Thursday’s event, which was scheduled for broadcast from 9 a.m. until noon in all time zones across the United States.
Macy’s also restricted the parade to its storefront on 34th Street in New York City, cutting out its signature 4-kilometer route. Also, this year, high school and college marching bands will be absent.
In partnership with the city, Macy’s promised to deliver a safe 94th Thanksgiving Day Parade. This included figuring out which roads to block to prevent people from entering the parade area.
Program lineups involving musical performances, balloons, floats and an appearance by Santa Claus did not change.
This year, late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon and The Roots band were scheduled to open the program with musical performances from entertainers including Patti LaBelle, Keke Palmer and Dolly Parton.