The 94th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade may not have been canceled by the coronavirus, but there are some radical alterations to help adhere to social-distancing mandates for 2020. The biggest change: The bash will be tailored exclusively to television audiences. How can I watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade and is it available to stream? In addition to the NBC broadcast, viewers can catch a livestream of the celebration on YouTube.com/Verizon, on Verizon’s Twitter account and other Verizon Media properties. The online coverage will be hosted by Mario Lopez. What’s different about the 2020 parade? In an effort to mitigate the number of gobble-day gawkers (which have totaled 3 million during previous events), the parade will not travel the traditional 2½-mile route around the city. Instead, the event will take place around Herald Square in Manhattan, where the Macy’s flagship department store is located. Even with the smaller parade route, city officials are discouraging New Yorkers from congregating in the 34th Street area to watch the festivities live, Today reported. The parade itself will be smaller as well, with organizers reducing the number of participants by a whopping 88%, Variety reported. Those who do attend will only hail from the New York tri-state area and will be wearing masks and maintaining social distance at all times. “Safety is our No. 1 priority, and we can’t do this without people in the city of New York and the state really supporting us and guiding us along the way,” Tercero said of the Macy’s parade makeover. Fans shouldn’t feel too deflated. In keeping with tradition, Macy’s will be debuting two new balloons: the titular character from “Boss Baby” and the Red Titan from the popular YouTube series “Ryan’s World.” These will be anchored by tractor-trailers in lieu of the 100 people who usually operate each balloon. What COVID-19 safety precautions are being taken for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Besides the change in the usual parade route, number of participants, balloon handlers and timing over three days, the parade has implemented the following changes: Everyone participating in the parade is being tested for COVID-19 and undergoing wellness checks before the event. No one under 18 is allowed to participate. Professional marching bands and ensembles are replacing high school and college marching bands this year. Performers and participants will be socially distanced and wear masks. Most participants are from the tri-state area.
How can I watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade and is it available to stream?
In addition to the NBC broadcast, viewers can catch a livestream of the celebration on YouTube.com/Verizon, on Verizon’s Twitter account and other Verizon Media properties. The online coverage will be hosted by Mario Lopez.
What’s different about the 2020 parade?
In an effort to mitigate the number of gobble-day gawkers (which have totaled 3 million during previous events), the parade will not travel the traditional 2½-mile route around the city. Instead, the event will take place around Herald Square in Manhattan, where the Macy’s flagship department store is located. Even with the smaller parade route, city officials are discouraging New Yorkers from congregating in the 34th Street area to watch the festivities live, Today reported.
The parade itself will be smaller as well, with organizers reducing the number of participants by a whopping 88%, Variety reported. Those who do attend will only hail from the New York tri-state area and will be wearing masks and maintaining social distance at all times.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority, and we can’t do this without people in the city of New York and the state really supporting us and guiding us along the way,” Tercero said of the Macy’s parade makeover.
Fans shouldn’t feel too deflated. In keeping with tradition, Macy’s will be debuting two new balloons: the titular character from “Boss Baby” and the Red Titan from the popular YouTube series “Ryan’s World.” These will be anchored by tractor-trailers in lieu of the 100 people who usually operate each balloon.
What COVID-19 safety precautions are being taken for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Besides the change in the usual parade route, number of participants, balloon handlers and timing over three days, the parade has implemented the following changes:
Everyone participating in the parade is being tested for COVID-19 and undergoing wellness checks before the event. No one under 18 is allowed to participate. Professional marching bands and ensembles are replacing high school and college marching bands this year. Performers and participants will be socially distanced and wear masks. Most participants are from the tri-state area.