For almost three-quarters of a century the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has for one day transformed New York City into a living comic book.

This year, more than two million people are expected to line sidewalks at the 74th annual parade, which begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22, to watch giant cartoon characters take over Gotham's largest one-day festival.

According to parade organizers there will be 12 new elements to this year's parade. Joining the zany cast of inflatable characters will be six new baloons, five new floats and one new falloon—a float with a balloon attached.

Among the new balloons is Walt Disney's Bandleader Mickey Mouse, which marks Mickey's first parade appearance in 18 years. Cassie, a giant pink dragon from the PBS animated fantasy series Dragon Tales, will make her first trip down Broadway this year. And another old familiar face making a return is Ronald McDonald who first joined the parade in 1987.

What Year Did the Parade Not Happen?

The parade first took to the streets of New York City in 1924. It was organized by Macy's employees, most of whom were first-generation immigrants, who wanted to celebrate the holidays like they did in Europe. The employees dressed in costumes and marched from 145th street down to 34th street with floats, bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo.

In 1927 Felix the Cat became the first parade balloon to hover over the city. Back then the balloons were released after the parade and whoever found them would get to keep them.

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The parade has gone on every year except during World War II when, aside from there not being much to cheer for, the helium and rubber used for the balloons needed to be conserved.

When the parade returned in 1945 it was televised in New York for the first time and traveled down its current parade route for the first time too. Today 4,000 people participate in the parade and NBC will broadcast live all along the route from 9 a.m. to noon.

As always, the parade will end with a visit from Santa Claus. St. Nick will get settled in Macy's department store after the parade to start a month-long search for who's been naughty and who's been nice.

We will be watching to cheer on a friend of ours who is the Band Director at Brentwood High School. If you see them on TV think of us as we will be thinking of them and praying that they are having a wonderful time and a safe return.

I did my time in a couple of these events as a clarinet player. In colder climates you have to cut holes in your gloves to touch the keys and then it's so cold your hands freeze to the instrument!
Think of those baton twirlers in skimpier costumes!
I always wanted to see one with balloons though but never did.