Beloved Macy's balloons inflated ahead of Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Nearly two dozen Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade floats were pumped with helium during the annual balloon inflation on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on Wednesday.
The event took place outside the American Museum of Natural History.
Crowds gathered to watch the balloons come to life, getting a sneak peek before they make their way down the streets of Manhattan while the rest of the nation watches on live TV.
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There will be six new featured character balloons this year, including Minnie Mouse, Marshall from "Paw Patrol," Extraordinary Noorah with The Elf on the Shelf, Gabby from "Gabby's Dollhouse," Goku from "Dragon Ball," and Spider-Man.
The list of street closures is available here. Visitors are strongly encouraged to use mass transit.
Officials estimate it will take at least 45 minutes to complete the loop and see all of the balloons.
For families with young kids, strollers are not prohibited, but can be difficult to push through the path with the crowds, so they are not recommended.
The public will be screened before entering the viewing path. Bags or backpacks larger than 12x6x12, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs, weapons, drones, pets, and umbrellas are not allowed.
The 98th annual parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. on the Upper West Side and proceeds along a two-and-a-half mile route to Herald Square. The parade is expected to draw 2,000,000 spectators and 10,000 participants.
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