Balloons & tunes
What a lot of hot air!
Thousands of cheering spectators braved the chilly streets yesterday to watch dozens of huge balloons and an even bigger windbag — Kanye West — at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The 84th annual parade delighted kids and adults alike with a stream of beloved balloons, including Shrek, Snoopy and a few news ones, such as Kung Fu Panda and Greg Heffley, the boy from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”
“I was excited thinking about coming,” said Sean Teitler, 9, of Staten Island, who watched from Columbus Circle. “This is the best parade ever. I love it all. I’m coming back, definitely. I promise. It is so much fun.”
For Sharon Levering, 62, and her husband, Charlie, 66, the parade was the perfect place to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
“This is just magical,” said the Pennsylvania woman. “And Santa at the end? He’s real. After all these years I still believe in Santa!”
The parade included thousands of volunteers guiding 15 giant balloons and 43 smaller ones from 77th Street and Central Park West to Herald Square.
On hand were a host of celebrities, including Gladys Knight, India Arie, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Keri Hilson, Arlo Guthrie and Miranda Cosgrove.
Big-mouthed rapper West made an appearance performing a new track, “Lost in the World.”
His outfit of a gold lamé shirt, black sweatband and fur vest turned heads, but he managed to stay on his best behavior.
In the end, the event went smoothly, mostly because the wind stayed calm and the balloons were easy to handle.
“Everyone’s got a smile on their face,” said Eddie Cohen, a New York native who traveled from Florida to see the parade. “It’s such a happy occasion. Every year, it’s more and more spectacular.”
Additional reporting by Alexis Jeffries
