By Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The Snoopy balloon won't be the biggest thing at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade now that the list of performers includes superstars like Kanye West, Gladys Knight and Jessica Simpson.
The lineup, announced Tuesday, will also include new balloons including Kung Fu Panda, the character from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and a cartoon version of Virginia O'Hanlon, best known for eliciting the response, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."
Fan favorites like Spider-Man, Kermit the Frog and Shrek will once again float above the more than 8,000 parade participants.
"Our 84th Macy's Parade will once again entertain an entire nation with a fantastic pageant filled with the most popular giant character helium balloons, awe-inspiring floats, the nation's best marching bands, and a dazzling array of other elements that will enchant millions of Parade fans everywhere," the parade's executive producer Amy Kule said in a statement.
More than 3.5 million people will line the streets for the parade and another 50 million will watch on TV.
The parade will step off at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25. The route begins at 77th Street and Central Park West and marches nearly two miles to the Macy's at Herald Square.
Parade organizers say the best spot to watch is between 61st and 72nd Streets on Central Park West. It's best to get their early, around 7 a.m., to snag seats.
