NEW YORK — Cher is obviously a superstar, but even a superstar can be the opening act when it comes to Santa.
The organizers of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade This year they chose the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winner for their 97th annual event. Cher will make an appearance just before the end of the parade, signaled by the arrival of Santa’s sleigh, parade organizers said.
This year’s parade will feature 16 giant character balloons, 26 floats, 32 novelty and traditional inflatables, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns and eight performance groups.
It’s a busy time for Cher, who is preparing to release a 25th anniversary edition of her Grammy-winning album “Believe.” and just released his first new album in five years, “Christmas.”
For the first time in its long history, the Christmas tradition will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET, half an hour earlier than in previous years, started by multi-instrumentalist and Grammy winner Jon Batiste.
There will be performances by Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Jessie James Decker, Ashley Park with some “Sesame Street” Muppets, PentatonixPaul Russell, Amanda Shaw y Alex Smith, y Manuel Turizo.
US Olympic gymnastics silver medalist Jordan Chiles, US Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech, US Paralympic swimming gold medalist Jessica Long and Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke will also join the festivities.
Seven new giant balloons will join the lineup: “Beagle Scout Snoopy,” “Blue Cat & Chugs,” “Kung Fu Panda’s Po,” “Leo,” “Monkey D. Luffy,” “Pillsbury Doughboy” and “Uncle Dan.”
Broadway will be represented by performances of “& Juliet,” “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “How To Dance In Ohio,” “Shucked” and “Spamalot,” with an appearance by Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells of “Gutenberg, El musical!“
Returning giant balloons include “Bluey,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Paw Patrol,” “Ryan’s World,” “Pikachu,” “Ronald McDonald,” “Stuart the Minion” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
The Macy’s Parade has been a traditional start to the holiday season, with spectators often forming a half-dozen lines along the route to cheer on marchers, floats, performers and marching bands. Lately, the parade has asked icons to be the last guests before Santa, and last year Mariah Carey fit the bill.
A marching band from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, the scene of one of the nation’s worst school shootings, will represent Florida. Other marching bands this year will represent Alabama, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas.
The floats include those from brands such as Lego, “Peanuts,” “Baby Shark,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Sesame Street.”
The parade airs on NBC and Peacock. Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker of “Today” will host and Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza will host a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo.
2023-11-02 14:50:40
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