MIDTOWN — Thousands of people lined the streets of Manhattan to catch a glimpse of the giant balloons and marching bands at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade amid a phalanx of selfie sticks and a heavy police presence.
"We are really looking forward to it," said French international student Pierre-Alexander Nave, 23, who was watching the parade near Bryant Park. "We've seen lots of pictures and videos about the parade and the big balloons so we're really looking forward to it."
"It's really amazing," said his friend, Clement Renaux, 21.
Karen Wade had her 6-year-old son, KJ, on her back at West 50th Street and Sixth Avenue.
She used to live in New York but is now in Columbus, Ohio. They're going to have Thanksgiving in the Bronx later. This is their third time bringing their kids to the parade.
"When we lived here, we never went but now we have the kids," Wade said. "It's a beautiful day."
Meanwhile, up near Columbus Circle Glenn White and his wife, from Arlington, Texas, had been waiting since 7 a.m.
"We are going to watch the parade for a bit and then watch football and play Mexican dominoes," he said.
Jeff Renzulli flew up from Orlando with his wife and son for Thanksgiving.
They got up at 6 a.m. to watch the parade and will visit family in Hoboken later. His wife, Liz, liked the Spongebob Squarepants float because, "He's jumping for joy."
Stephanie Ortiz went to Columbus Circle to watch the parade with her three kids, who also liked the Spongebob balloon.
But, "the cutest one was the purple hippo with the bow," she said