‘Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same without watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,’ said David H. of Flint. ‘I can’t believe it’s been 85 years. It’s really been a fun, entertaining part of American History. And, it’s a testament to Macy’s , the magic of Christmas and the spirit of Santa, because despite the economy, it stirs your heart to see the big ‘Believe’ sign on the front of the store.’ The 85th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade featured a bevy of beautiful balloons, floats, bands and performances from big stars like Daniel Radcliffe with a selection from Broadway’s ‘How to Succeed in Business’ and American Idol Scotty McCreery performing ‘The Trouble with Girls’.
According to ‘Today’s’ Matt Lauer, this year’s parade boasted over 3 ½ million spectators and 50 million television viewers. Starting at 77th Street and Central Park West, the parade marches for over 2 miles and ends up at 34th Street and 7th Avenue. This year’s line-up included some spectacular Broadway performances from:
- How to Succeed in Business
- Sister Act
- Spiderman
- And the upcoming Newsies.
Harry Potter icon Daniel Radcliffe performed ‘The Brotherhood of Man’ from ‘How to Succeed in Business with Tony winner John Laroquette.
Other notable musical performances included: Avril Lavigne with her latest single ‘Wish You Were Here’, Scotty McCreery with ‘The Trouble with Girls’, Cee Lo Green, Mary J. Blige and Neil Diamond on a Mt. Rushmore float singing ‘America’. McCreery joined in late on his lip sync, (perhaps due to ear muffs impeding his hearing), but his parade debut was charming, nonetheless.
Also debuting this year was the ‘Macy’s Great American Elf Adventure’ winning balloon design, ‘Elf Gazer’ from Queens, NY artist Keith Lapinig. According to the Macy’s Parade website:
‘Gazer’s design was inspired by the story of R.H. Macy who chose Macy’s famed star emblem after he became lost at sea on a fateful fishing trip. Mr. Macy credited the North Star with guiding him safely back to shore, and so he made it the trademark of his New York City store.’
Also via the Macy’s Parade site:
‘When not flying down the streets of Manhattan, Gazer helps fulfill the wishes of thousands of children that visit Santa Claus at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City each year. Once a wish is whispered to Santa Claus, it becomes a star which Gazer then guides safely to the North Pole, so that each wish becomes a reality.
Elf Gazer bears a star in the center of his hat, his face is the surface of the moon, the New York Skyline rises from his boots and a trail of wishes wraps around his body.’
According to Businesswire.com, Lapinig won the honor of his design being made into a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon, as well as VIP seating and accommodations for him and three guests to watch the balloon’s maiden flight at this year’s parade.
Director Tim Burton also featured his creation for the Blue Sky Gallery (of Fine Art parade balloons) this year, called ‘B’ which, according to Macy’s Parade site, is ‘a boy obsessed with flight and has the scars to prove it’.
According to ‘Today’s’ Al Roker, the weather was perfect for the parade today, a crisp 41 degrees. ‘Parenthood’ stars and hot celeb couple Lauren Graham and Peter Krause stopped by to chat, and Krause told Roker that his dad is 1 year younger than the parade, 84.
Supermodel Elle McPherson also stopped by to discuss her upcoming reality series,’ Fashion Star’, which will premiere on WEYI NBC25 in Flint on March 13, 2012 and include fashion buffs Jessica Simpson, John Varvatos and Nicole Richie, who will mentor fashion finalists who are vying to become the next fashion icon. The winners will launch their designs at Macy’s H & M and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Finally, Justin Bieber’s hilarious Macy’s Black Friday Sale commercial ran a few times, highlighting his fragrance, Someday and previews for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming NBC series ‘Smash’ starring Oscar winner Angelica Huston, Emmy winner Debra Messing and ‘American Idol’ runner up Katherine McPhee. The show will feature McPhee’s character as a girl with a dream to make it on Broadway, and give viewers a look at what goes into making a new, successful Broadway show. The series will premiere Monday, February 6th on WEYI NBC25 in Flint at 10 PM EST.
Watch more parade highlights tonight on Matt Lauer’s 85th Anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade special in Flint on WEYI NBC25 at 10 PM EST.
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