The balloons are pumped up. Entertainers are at the ready. Floats decorated to the nines. It’s time for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A high-kicking Kung Fu Panda and a diary-toting Wimpy Kid will join the giant balloon lineup for the 84th annual event.
Live entertainers expected at Thursday’s parade include Kanye West, Gladys Knight and Colombian rocker Juanes. Returning balloon characters include Spider-Man, Smurf and Pillsbury Doughboy.

The Broadway casts of “American Idiot” and “Elf” will perform.
Video: Macy’s parade balloons get pumped up (on this page)
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This year’s parade will feature 8,000 participants, WNBC-TV reported, including more than 1,600 cheerleaders and dancers, 850 clowns and 12 marching bands — all in addition to the iconic balloons and floats.
The event is expected to attract 3.5 million live spectators and more than 50 million television viewers nationwide.
The Macy’s parade tradition started in 1924. The parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 because rubber and helium were needed for the war effort.