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TagsBY DENIS NILAND
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
There was a pretty impressive test flight over the Meadowlands recently.
Well, we know the football Giants have not been soaring high.
But Spider Man has ….. and the Pillsbury Doughboy looked as hugable and squeezable as ever.
Yes, on a beautiful morning at the Meadowlands, Macy’s inflated their newest balloons last weekend to test and prepare for the 83rd Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Many of the employees and families showed up to cheer on the new superstars also featuring Mickey Mouse dressed as a sailor and Ronald McDonald.According to Macy’s staff, the balloons are anchored to Toro Workman vehicles and flown under the direction of a pilot and a captain, a flight management team of twelve corps and hundred of balloon handlers. The handlers got a workout as well, practicing for several hours.
NEW THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ROUTE:
A new route has been established for the 2009 parade. From 77th Street and Central Park West, the route goes south along Central Park to Columbus Circle, then goes east along Central Park South. The parade then makes a right turn at 7th Avenue and goes south to Times Square. At 42nd Street the parade turns left and goes east, then at 6th Avenue turns right again. Heading south on 6th Avenue, the parade turns right at 34th Street (Herald Square) and proceeds west to the terminating point at 7th Avenue where the floats are taken down.[24]
The 2009 route change eliminates Broadway completely, where the parade has traveled down for decades. The City of New York has said that the new route will provide more space for the parade, and more viewing space for spectators. Another reason for implementing the route change is the city's plan to turn Broadway into a pedestrian-only zone at Times Square.
It is not advised to view the parade from Columbus Circle, as due to higher winds in this flat area, balloon teams race through it.