The New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of my favorite events to look forward to all year! Though I am not able to go in person, it is almost just as great to watch on the television with all of my family. No need to leave the comfort of your home when you can witness the event for free right in your living room.
The parade starts bright and early at 8:30 a.m., taking characters like Spongebob Squarepants Snoopy and Greg Heffley on a walk down 6th Avenue in the form of floats and balloons. What I look forward to the most is all the performers who sing and dance throughout the show.
There were 11 college marching bands invited to make some noise this year, with Rutgers University-New Brunswick shining in their debut.
There were also lots of Broadway shows leaving their stages to perform their theatrical music that is quite literally hidden behind closed doors. They just gave a little sneak peek, and I can’t wait to see another Broadway show!
The Radio City Rockettes are always my favorite performance of the morning, they never fail to make everyone smile. Their iconic costumes, perfectly formed lines and the moves they pull off in spite of their footwear never fail to impress.
The parade boasted a talented roster of musical guests, including one of the most famous acapella groups, the Pentatonix. Although Cher was the celebrity headliner, her performance failed to impress me. I expected more from her rendition of “DJ Play a Christmas Song” from her newest holiday album titled “Christmas.” However, those who were not satisfied by her could focus on the myriad of other notable artists, such as Brandy, Jon Batiste and Jessie James Decker.
To make up for it, Santa Claus made his special appearance at the end of the parade to signify that the holiday season is officially here. Emmy award winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph made her debut as Mrs. Claus as well.
The parade concludes with Santa departing to return to his home at the North Pole, but those reluctant to get up from their couches know to stay tuned for the National Dog Show. Presented by Purina and sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, dog owners compete at the event for the prestigious title of Best in Show and a prize of $20,000.
The National Dog Show’s website explains, “Owners register approximately one million dogs with the AKC. The AKC’s Canine Health Foundation is the world’s largest funder of exclusively canine research with a mission to develop significant resources for basic and applied health programs with emphasis on canine genetics to improve the quality of life for dogs and their owners.”
The competition supports a great cause and presents an educational opportunity for those interested in learning about different dog breeds. The announcers always share facts about the histories of different breeds and statistics about their popularity in the U.S.
Although all of the contestants were adorable, only a handful could walk away with prizes. Pumpkin the Dalmatian represented New Jersey well, winning the non-sporting group and being named runner-up for Best in Show. For the grand finale, a three-year-old Sealyham terrier aptly named Stache won Best in Show.
Thanksgiving would not be complete without these two iconic broadcasts. I heartily encourage you to tune in next year and make viewing them a tradition if you are not already in the habit. It is a wonderfully entertaining way to kick off the holiday season.
achaplai@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @nbc, Instagram
