Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float.Photo:Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Eugene Gologursky/Getty
The 97thMacy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradeis nearly upon us — and this year, there will be some very exciting new floats to see!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem float for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Eugene Gologursky/Getty/Macy’s, Inc
Eugene Gologursky/Getty/Macy’s, Inc
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The float will even include a 20-foot chocolate cherry tree.
The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka float for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Eugene Gologursky/Getty/Macy’s, Inc
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to tie the vehicle that tows the float to the float itself, so we’re excited about that one as well,” he tells PEOPLE.
Solo Stove’s Igniting Memories float for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Eugene Gologursky/Getty/ Macy’s, Inc
Eugene Gologursky/Getty/ Macy’s, Inc
A total of 5,000 volunteers will participate in this year’s parade, which will include 26 different floats. The event will also include 16 featured character balloons, 32 heritage and novelty balloons, 12 marching bands, nine performance groups, and “the one-and-onlySanta Claus.”
“One of the, one of my favorite parts of the parade is step off,” Coss tells PEOPLE. “There’s really nothing like that moment, that ‘5-4-3-2-1, let’s have a parade!’ Confetti shots, excitement. New York just comes alive."
Dozens of people work year-round to develop the concepts and designs for the parade each year, Coss tells PEOPLE. And once one parade ends, the planning process for the next one begins.
“The day after the parade, we have a moment to sit back, appreciate the work, understand what worked, what didn’t,” Coss says. “So there’s not much time to rest in between parades.”
Brach’s Palace of Sweets float for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Eugene Gologursky/Getty/Macy’s, Inc
One of the most special moments of the process, Coss adds, is seeing the joy and happiness the parade brings to thousands of people.
“Having an opportunity to bring a little spectacle, bring a little love, bring a little bit of creativity to everyone on Thanksgiving morning is something that we love."
The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC.
source: people.com
