Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2021

What better way to start off a Photo portfolio of a Thanksgiving Day parade than with a close-up of an airborne Ronald McDonald.

What better way to start off a Photo portfolio of a Thanksgiving Day parade than with a close-up of an airborne Ronald McDonald.

It’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, back in all its 2021 glory after a covid-limited effort last year.

It’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, back in all its 2021 glory after a covid-limited effort last year.

As usual, there are plentiful marching bands, hailing from all over.

As usual, there are plentiful marching bands, hailing from all over.

There’s an abundance of floats, this one topped by the current Miss America.

There’s an abundance of floats, this one topped by the current Miss America.

And there are balloons galore – including (L to R) Boss Baby, Papa Smurf and Baby Yoda. (Does my ability to identify these guys surprise you? Well, my colleague Raymond – the father of two youngsters who know all about such characters – is my source

And there are balloons galore – including (L to R) Boss Baby, Papa Smurf and Baby Yoda. (Does my ability to identify these guys surprise you? Well, my colleague Raymond – the father of two youngsters who know all about such characters – is my source for all such naming knowledge in this portfolio.)

So, for instance, here comes Chase from the TV show Paw Patrol. I’m blessed to be perched with my camera at an open third floor window in an apartment building on Central Park West in the 60’s – courtesy of our good friend, Barbara Baekgaard. And, am

So, for instance, here comes Chase from the TV show Paw Patrol. I’m blessed to be perched with my camera at an open third floor window in an apartment building on Central Park West in the 60’s – courtesy of our good friend, Barbara Baekgaard. And, am I having fun!

This is the view down the avenue to Columbus Circle, with a large NYC police van dominating the foreground.

This is the view down the avenue to Columbus Circle, with a large NYC police van dominating the foreground.

The NYC police are out in force today – even lending a mostly-unmasked musical presence to the festivities.

The NYC police are out in force today – even lending a mostly-unmasked musical presence to the festivities.

But the cops can be spied all along the parade route – some of them even patrolling by bicycle.

But the cops can be spied all along the parade route – some of them even patrolling by bicycle.

My favorite police presence, however, are these troopers from the NYC cavalry.

My favorite police presence, however, are these troopers from the NYC cavalry.

The mounts left a little reminder of their presence, which was promptly scooped up by experienced patrollers, to the delight of the crowd.

The mounts left a little reminder of their presence, which was promptly scooped up by experienced patrollers, to the delight of the crowd.

This – in case you don’t know – is Astronaut Snoopy; and you can see in the right-hand shot – plus on the next five pages – NYC’s obscenely tall-and-thin skyscrapers that overlook the festivities.

This – in case you don’t know – is Astronaut Snoopy; and you can see in the right-hand shot – plus on the next five pages – NYC’s obscenely tall-and-thin skyscrapers that overlook the festivities.

Say hello to Sonic the Hedgehog.

Say hello to Sonic the Hedgehog.

and also to Smokey the Bear.

and also to Smokey the Bear.

(This one is easier for an octogenarian to write than to say.) May I introduce Super Saiyan Goku from the TV show Dragonball (and check out the shots of the real parade heroes – the guys and gals who keep the balloons afloat).

(This one is easier for an octogenarian to write than to say.) May I introduce Super Saiyan Goku from the TV show Dragonball (and check out the shots of the real parade heroes – the guys and gals who keep the balloons afloat).

I’m a little more familiar with the Pillsbury Doughboy, although not in the right-hand pose.

I’m a little more familiar with the Pillsbury Doughboy, although not in the right-hand pose.

The parade is about to make its turn east at Columbus Circle. (Oh, by the way, that’s Pikachu from the Pokemon TV show on the left.)

The parade is about to make its turn east at Columbus Circle. (Oh, by the way, that’s Pikachu from the Pokemon TV show on the left.)

Now we return to the floats, featuring such as Peanuts and Hallmark.

Now we return to the floats, featuring such as Peanuts and Hallmark.

(Clockwise from upper left): Elf Pets, Mass Mutual promoting the NHL, the Green Giant, and Olay.

(Clockwise from upper left): Elf Pets, Mass Mutual promoting the NHL, the Green Giant, and Olay.

Peacock Live Streaming, Disney Cruise Line, and Blue’s Clues.

Peacock Live Streaming, Disney Cruise Line, and Blue’s Clues.

The salutes here are to the food purveyors Entenmann’s and Heinz –

The salutes here are to the food purveyors Entenmann’s and Heinz –

– and also to Jennie-O.

– and also to Jennie-O.

Some states were represented – here, South Dakota and Louisiana.

Some states were represented – here, South Dakota and Louisiana.

Top: Lifetime TV channel and Macy’s Holiday Train. Bottom: Two views of the crowd that packed certain viewing sections –

Top: Lifetime TV channel and Macy’s Holiday Train. Bottom: Two views of the crowd that packed certain viewing sections –

– And here, close-ups of some members of the crowd.

– And here, close-ups of some members of the crowd.

Now we return to the bands,

Now we return to the bands,

and to a variety of marchers,

and to a variety of marchers,

and to an impressive delegation from a high school in a small town in Indiana – Barbara Baekgaard’s home state.

and to an impressive delegation from a high school in a small town in Indiana – Barbara Baekgaard’s home state.

These marchers formed one continuous line (just follow the arrows from right to left) with the costume coloration switching from green to pink to yellow.

These marchers formed one continuous line (just follow the arrows from right to left) with the costume coloration switching from green to pink to yellow.

Here’s another view looking south as the parade passes by.

Here’s another view looking south as the parade passes by.

A few more balloons – here’s Ada Twist Scientist,

A few more balloons – here’s Ada Twist Scientist,

Red Titan Ryan (from Ryan’s World),

Red Titan Ryan (from Ryan’s World),

And old reliable SpongeBob.

And old reliable SpongeBob.

There are also balloons dedicated to ice cream, pumpkins and an acorn.

There are also balloons dedicated to ice cream, pumpkins and an acorn.

Say hello to Artie the Pirate,

Say hello to Artie the Pirate,

and to Wimpy Kid (from the book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid),

and to Wimpy Kid (from the book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid),

and to Macy’s own Happy Hippo.

and to Macy’s own Happy Hippo.

These next three pages feature some of my favorite floats – this one, with the delectable elephant, is from Kalahari Resorts water parks.

These next three pages feature some of my favorite floats – this one, with the delectable elephant, is from Kalahari Resorts water parks.

The top two are from the GoBowling.com website; the bottom left features Macy’s Tough Guy and Bulldog; but as to who lays claim to the bottom right vehicle, I have no idea.

The top two are from the GoBowling.com website; the bottom left features Macy’s Tough Guy and Bulldog; but as to who lays claim to the bottom right vehicle, I have no idea.

The characters are from the top window of Hooper’s Store, but I can’t identify the provenance of the enticing image below.

The characters are from the top window of Hooper’s Store, but I can’t identify the provenance of the enticing image below.

Some final balloons – Toni, the Bandleader Bear, and a reprise of Ronald McDonald.

Some final balloons – Toni, the Bandleader Bear, and a reprise of Ronald McDonald.

Tiptoe the Reindeer caused quite a stir as he mingled with onlookers (just check out the expressions on their faces).

Tiptoe the Reindeer caused quite a stir as he mingled with onlookers (just check out the expressions on their faces).

And here’s a final salute to a wonderful few hours of pure pleasure.... See you in 2022.

And here’s a final salute to a wonderful few hours of pure pleasure.... See you in 2022.

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