*The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will go virtual for the first time in its nearly 100 year history.
Organizers have reduced the total number of participants and facial masks and social distancing will be enforced. Marchers will not be making their way down the traditional 2.5-mile parade route, Macy’s said in a statement.
“We won’t be marching, but we’re reimagining it into a televised-only spectacle where all your fave balloons, floats & Santa Claus *safely* make their way to you,” the retail giant wrote on Twitter.
The change is an effort to “avoid gathering millions of spectators in person,” a company spokesperson told CBS News.
READ MORE: WATCH: Macy’s Employee Beaten After Allegedly Overheard Saying N-Word on Phone
The #MacysParade will go on! We won’t be marching, but we’re reimagining it into a televised-only spectacle where all your fave balloons, floats & Santa Claus *safely* make their way to you. Tune in to @NBC 9AM Thanksgiving Day & check here for updates: https://t.co/1Bo9XZMmsM pic.twitter.com/n1XgeNdRKu
— Macy’s (@Macys) September 14, 2020
“Macy’s believes in celebration and the joy of marking milestone moments with family and friends. The Macy’s Parade is our love letter and gift to the City of New York and the nation. Under the unique challenges of these unparalleled times, we felt it was important to continue this cherished holiday tradition that has been the opening act to the holiday season for generations of families,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “While it will certainly look different in execution, this year’s Macy’s Parade celebration will once again serve its historical purpose – to bring joy into the hearts of millions across the nation.”
Macy’s press release states “a number of changes will be implemented in order to execute this event safely.” These changes include the following:
- Reducing the overall number of participants by approximately 75%, and splitting the remaining participants over two days
- All participants will be appropriately socially distanced during performances and be required to wear face coverings and additional personal protective equipment depending on their role
- Shifting to a television-broadcast-only production with staging for Parade elements focused solely in/ around the Herald Square area of Midtown Manhattan
- The traditional 2.5-mile Parade route will not be utilized this year
- No participant in the Parade will be under 18 years of age
- Previously selected regional High School and College Marching Bands performances will be deferred to the 2021 Macy’s Parade, with locally based professional marching and musical ensembles taking musical duties in the lineup
- Macy’s traditional Giant Balloon Inflation public event on Wednesday will not take place
- Macy’s signature giant character balloons will be flown without the traditional 80-100 handlers and instead employ an innovative, specially rigged anchor vehicle framework of five specialty vehicles tested and approved by the NYCDOT and NYPD
The 94th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide on NBC-TV, Thursday, November 26, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, in all time zones. For more information visit macys.com/parade.
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