Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: 2020 Edition

A parade with no people in attendance is a weird concept to me but this is 2020 baby. Tradition has done its best this year to stay tradition but slight modifications are needed for just about everything, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is still happening which is great news but it will only be for televised viewers. No one will be allowed to attend in person.

Another major changes to the parade is that floats and performers will only travel one block down 34th Street instead of strolling through the standard 2.5 mile route. In an effort to prevent people from gathering to try and catch a glimpse, the streets surrounding the site will be closed off - even during the planning stages according to reports by The New York Times.

Utility vehicles will replace the uniformed handlers who normally guide the giant balloons through the streets, in order to limit the number of people involved in the production. In years past it's taken anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 people to pull this thing off. This year there will be about 1,500 people working the parade.

Something else new and different are the addition of pre-filmed Broadway productions. You can expect to see scenes from  "Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations," "Hamilton," "Jagged Little Pill," and "Mean Girls," as well as the Radio City Rockettes.

There will be live performers similar to years past. This years line-up includes, the Big Apple Circus, the NYPD Police Band, and the West Point Marching Band with musical appearances from Patti LaBelle, Dolly Parton, and Jordin Sparks. Of course, Santa Clause will also have to make an appearance!

You know, it's not like I actually going to New York City every year to watch the parade in person. I watch it from my warm and cozy living room couch anyway! No major personal changes there.