While the coronavirus pandemic has canceled many events throughout the United States over the last few months, certain traditions can never be canceled, such as the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade.  America’s favorite balloons and floats will still appear on the streets of New York City this year, just differently than years prior. 

Due to coronavirus cases surging in nearly every state, with a second wave beginning in the Northeast, the parade will be a strictly televised event, so there will be no live audiences in the street this year.  Even though the event is known to bring massive crowds to the streets of New York, officials do not see any safe way to bring viewers to the event in person since the event usually attracts viewers from all over the country.  

aDVERTISEMENT

Officials have concluded that making the parade a completely televised event is the safest way and the only way for the performances to go on this year.  The 2.5-mile parade will take place as usual, on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.

“It’s sad to think about the parade with no audience because it has always been such an exciting thing on Thanksgiving day.  I have been to the parade in New York in person and I have watched it on TV in many past years and there is just something so much more special about seeing the live event in person.  Everyone around you is so excited and there is such a positive energy there as the crowds cheer when the floats come down the streets.  My only hope is that next year, we can start going back to normal again” said Hills junior Dream Maywether.  

Other students have also shared their opinions on the new, fully remote aspect of the event.  These viewers are trying to envision the program without the energy of the crowds present as they view the event.  

“I haven’t been to the parade in person before but every year that I’ve watched [it] in on TV, there’s been a high energy from people lined up for miles on the streets to watch the parade, I can’t imagine it without the audience, but there really isn’t any other safe option for right now,” said Hills junior Kailani Perez.  

While this change is unfortunate to many, the changes made to the event are permanent changes.  With the promise of a vaccine within the new year, viewers are hopeful that life will be back to normal by the next annual parade.  

“I watch the parade every year from home anyway so it will not be that much different for me, but it must be really disappointing for the people who go in person.  I think the optimistic way to think about it is that it is only one year, hopefully by next year we see things like this going back to normal, but until then, we just have to do what we can to stay safe,” said Hills junior Michael Blackford.  

Even though there will be no crowds supporting the performance in person, several theatrical performers will make their appearance for viewers who watch from their television screens. 

The event will include performances from musical guests Dolly Parton, Tori Kelly, Noah Cyrus, Pentatonix, and more.  The parade will also showcase several theatrical performances from Hamilton, Mean Girls, the New York City Rockettes, and more.  

Even though the annual event creators have had to make modifications to how the show will be viewed by audiences, performers and creators still intend for a successful show for all to watch from their television screens.