Thanksgiving Day event goes on during coronavirus times

NEW YORK >> The balloons were in the sky and the marching bands took to the streets for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, but coronavirus restrictions meant it was without the throngs of people usually scrambling for a view.

Instead of its typical path through Manhattan, this year’s parade was kept to the area in front of Macy’s flagship store and aimed at a television audience instead of live crowds.

There were some familiar balloon faces, of course, including Snoopy, Ronald McDonald and Sponge Bob Square Pants.

But the bigger balloons were missing the numerous handlers who would normally be walking underneath and holding the ropes. This year, they were attached to vehicles that kept them moving and decreased the number of people needed.

A number of entertainers performed, including Pentatonix, Keke Palmer and Sofia Carson, and a slew of Broadway shows were represented in taped performances from their casts. The Rockettes performed their dance number wearing masks.

Even with the pandemic protocols, the fact that the parade took place made it a rare festivity in a city that has seen most of its major events canceled over the last year because of the virus.

CRAIG RUTTLE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS People attempt to take photos as the last floats in the modified parade move away. Due to the pandemic, crowds of onlookers were not allowed to attend the annual parade.

BRITTAINY NEWMAN — THE NEW YORK TIMES Floats line up before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Thursday.

EARL WILSON — THE NEW YORK TIMES A balloon of Red Titan from Ryan’s World makes its way down the parade route.

CRAIG RUTTLE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Boss Baby balloon is deflated as it ends its appearance in the parade.