The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has become an enduring tradition in the United States ever since the annual event started in 1924. While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced certain events to be canceled this year, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will carry on as a broadcast-only celebration with accommodations made in accordance with New York health orders.

The 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast on NBC on November 26th from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m with hosts Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker. Meanwhile, Telemundo will simulcast the event in Spanish with Adamari Lopez, Jessica Carrillo, Rodner Figueroa, and Nastassja Bolivar taking on hosting duties. An encore presentation will air from 2:00 p.m to 5 p.m.  Furthermore, Macy's, NBCUniversal, and Verizon will provide a livestream of the event from Manhattan starting at 8:30 a.m. EST on Verizon's Twitter feed and YouTube platforms.

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While there will still be a line-up of novelty balloons, floats, performers, and marching ensembles, the procession will not travel down the streets of Manhattan this year. Instead, most of the event will take place right outside of Macy's Herald Square location at 34th Street in order to avoid large crowds. The list of performers currently includes Lauren Alaina, Jimmie Allen and Noah Cyrus, Ally Brooke, Sofia Carson, CNCO, Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, Karol G, Christopher Jackson and the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Tori Kelly, Patti LaBelle, Ella Mai, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier, Leslie Odom Jr., Keke Palmer, Dolly Parton, Pentatonix, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Sebastián Yatra and Brett Young, and the Radio City Rockettes. Of course, Santa Claus will still arrive to officially usher in the Christmas holiday season. All participants will be tested for COVID-19 and undergo wellness checks before their performances.

As mentioned, there will be notable changes to the parade this year, including the fact that all participants will be socially distanced and wear protective gear during performances. The total number of participants will also be reduced by 75 percent and no one under 18 will take part in the parade. The character balloons that have become a signature element of the event will reportedly be pulled by a special anchor vehicle and the traditional Giant Balloon Inflation will not take place this year. Certain segments have also been pre-recorded.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has only been canceled three times since its inception. From 1942 to 1944 the parade was suspended due to a rubber and helium shortage brought upon by World World II.

Of course, like many events this year, celebrating from home without a crowd of equally enthusiastic people will be an adjustment. Though perhaps there may be some comfort in knowing the cold weather won't be a problem this year.

The 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day will air on NBC on November 26th, 2020.

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Source: Today