Tens of thousands celebrate Thanksgiving parade in New York

Tens of thousands of onlookers cheered on giant balloon figures, show dancers dressed for Christmas and Santa Claus and his wife at the Thanksgiving parade in New York.

During the traditional parade on Thursday, helium balloons of characters such as Snoopy and the Pokémon Pikachu floated above people, and characters from Sesame Street and US sports stars who want to compete in the Olympic Games in Paris next year waved from show floats. In addition to some Broadway stars, the a cappella group Pentatonix sang a Christmas pop song before pop icon Cher (77) presented her new single “DJ Play a Christmas Song” shortly before the end of the parade.

US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill were also connected by telephone to the NBC television station. “Today is about coming together and giving thanks to the country that is our home,” Biden said. “We also thank all firefighters, police officers and our military.” Jill Biden added: “Today it is important to do something kind. Call someone and say a happy Thanksgiving.”