On its 90th year yet, Macy's has once again held a wonderful and awe-filled Thanksgiving Day Parade. Some of the highlights of 2016's event included a legendary appearance by Tony Bennett, and an even more legendary appearance by Felix the Cat, the parade's first ever balloon. The parade ended with a romantic proposal from a heroic New York City Police officer.
The parade got off to an ominous start with USA Today reporting that law enforcement agents were on site walking bomb-sniffing dogs, carrying heavy assault rifles and setting up 80 sand-filled trucks to act as security barriers. Despite the massive security effort, the annual parade got on without any security lapses, and the people thanked NYC police for keeping them safe. (READ: New York's Finest: Hidden Museums And Galleries)
In addition to the bravery of the officers on-duty, according to Fox News, the New York Police Department also shared on Twitter that another one of their officers had a courageous encounter of their own. Officer Andrew Dossi proposed to his girlfriend during the Macy's 2016 Thanksgiving parade and fortunately, she said "Yes!". Kneeling in front of the NYPD marching band, Dossi was a true hero in January 2015 when he was shot on the elbow and back during a holdup incident at a Bronx grocery store. (READ: New York City Christmas Shopping - The Best Holiday Deals)
Other milestones during the three-hour parade included 43 large balloons, 26 floats, 16 marching bands, 1,100 dancers and over a thousand clowns. Key performers included Tony Bennett, Aloe Blacc, LunchMoney Lewis, Regina Spektor, Daya, Easton Corbin and Miss Piggy. In addition, Felix the Cat, known as the Macy's parade's first ever balloon made an appearance, along with the classic Snoopy's Doghouse with Charlie Brown. (READ: Florida's Key West Fantasy Fest Feature Body Painting And Dancing Grannies)
Some new floats included "Building a Better World" by the Girl Scouts of America, and "Fun House" by Krazy Glue. Other floats took it to the next level with "Aloha Spirit" by King's Hawaiian featuring a fully-functioning waterfall and "Deck the Halls" by Balsam Hill that was decked with a real merry-go-round. (READ: The Best Places To Travel In December: Where To Spend Christmas And Winter Holidays)
Performances began at 9 a.m. with a performance by the Muppets and ended after 3 hours, after a 2.5 mile parade route culminating at Macy's on 34th street. Although the Macy's annual Thanksgiving parade started in 1924, the event was not held during the World War II years, as supply of helium and rubber all went to the US's war effort.
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