Feature: Spectators line up New York streets for Macy's Thanksgiving parade despite rain

The balloon of Pikachu &Eevee is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

by Xinhua writer Yanan Liu

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade drew a large number of New Yorkers and visitors from far away on Thursday morning despite continuous rainfall.

Both spectators and participants of the parade made preparatory work by wearing raincoats or bringing umbrellas.

The mild temperature and lack of strong wind made the outdoor celebrations full of cheer and comfort.

The parade in 2024 turned into the largest yet with more than 5,000 volunteers, 17 featured character balloons, 22 floats, 15 heritage and novelty balloons, more than 700 clowns, 11 marching bands, 10 performance groups and live music from popular artists.

In particular, six new featured character balloons and six new floats made their debut, like Disney's Minnie Mouse by The Walt Disney Company and Candy Cosmos by Haribo, according to a release by Macy's, Inc.

"We enjoyed every angle of the parade," said Ayesha, a visitor from southern New Jersey.

Ayesha and her family members checked into their hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday and woke up early in the morning, bringing her son around 7:30 a.m. to watch the parade.

"This is my first time. I was born and raised in the U.S.A. watching the parade on TV every year. And this is the first time live, and it's worth every minute even with the rain on our feet," Ayesha told Xinhua.

Ayesha said the decision to watch the parade in person was a last-minute decision despite forecasts of rain at the time of the parade.

"Rain or shine, we are with them," said Ayesha, who brought rain boots, waterproof bags and other rain gears.

The experience helps build resiliency and excitement and make people remember it even more, said Ayesha.

"I hope everybody gets this message that even in hard times, you can find enjoyment," Ayesha said.

Mignon Bolay, a visitor from Perry, Oklahoma, held a sign reading "Here, celebrating my 70th (birthday)."

Bolay told Xinhua, "The parade is so special. I'm 70 years old, and I've waited my whole life to be able to come to the Macy's (Thanksgiving) Day Parade. It's just a dream coming true for me."

Participants of the parade shouted "Happy Birthday" to Bolay as the event moved on.

"This is the first time and it'll be the only time that I'll be able to come in," said Bolay, who appeared along the 6th Avenue in Midtown at 5:00 a.m. with her husband and other family members.

Susan Williams, a visitor from Arkansas, and her children chanted "Pikachu" again and again as the Pikachu balloon passed by.

"We're dedicated," said Williams, speaking of her appearance along the street at 4:30 a.m.

However, the parade was briefly interrupted and delayed as a group of pro-Palestine protesters got over barriers on West 55th Street and 6th Avenue.

The protesters sat on the street with big signs reading "Don't celebrate genocide," "Free Palestine" and "Land Back" and chanted "Free Free Palestine."

The incident led to the arrests of 21 people, according to media reports.

It's estimated that 3.5 million people watched the parade in person, with as many as 30 million viewers on screens.

The balloon of Gabby is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

Spectators watch the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The balloon of Smokey Bear is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

Nutcracker Balloonicle is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The balloon of Goku is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The Brick-Changer float and the balloon of Pikachu &Eevee are seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Big Turkey Spectacular float is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The balloon of Kung Fu Panda's Po is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The balloon of the Pillsbury Doughboy is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The balloon of Beagle Scout Snoopy is seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

A performer attends the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Participants attend the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The balloons of Pumpkins are seen during the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

A performer interacts with spectators during the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

A Santa Claus float is seen during the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

Performers attend the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

Participants attend the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

Performers attend the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

A turkey float is seen during the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

A float is seen during the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

Participants attend the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)