Thanksgiving Day 2021 updates – Macy’s parade kicks off with new balloons Ronald McDonald & Baby Yoda making debut

PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THANKSGIVING: ‘OUR HEARTS ARE FULL OF GRACE AND GRATITUDE’

President Biden shared a message from himself and Dr Jill Biden on Thanksgiving.

“As we gather together again, our table and our hearts are full of grace and gratitude for all those we love,” President Biden said.

AVERAGE COST OF THANKSGIVING DINNER UP BY 14 PERCENT

The average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people in 2021 is $53.31 or less than $6.00 per person.

The total is up 14 percent from last year’s average of $46.90.

For those hoping for Turkey, a classic meal on the holiday, costs are up by 24 percent compared to last year. The average 16-pound bird is $23.99 or roughly $1.50 per pound.

WHICH PRESIDENT MADE THANKSGIVING A NATIONAL HOLIDAY, CONTINUED

This Thanksgiving holiday was celebrated in accordance with Lincoln’s proclamation from 1863 until President Franklin Roosevelt moved the Thanksgiving holiday from the last Thursday of November to the penultimate Thursday in November, with the aim of boosting retail sales during the Great Depression.

Nevertheless, President Roosevelt had to reverse his decision in 1941 due to the severe opposition he encountered from supporters of Lincoln’s initial proclamation.

Thus, Roosevelt had to reluctantly sign a bill to officially make Thanksgiving the last Thursday in November.

WHICH PRESIDENT MADE THANKSGIVING A NATIONAL HOLIDAY?

During the civil war, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.

In declaring Thanksgiving Day as a holiday, President Lincoln stated: “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation”.

Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving was to be celebrated on the last Thursday of every November.

WHAT DOES THANKSGIVING MEAN IN THE 21ST CENTURY?

As a tradition that had a more religious significance, several Americans have veered away from this to focus on cooking and sharing meals during Thanksgiving in the 21st century.

Interestingly, turkey has become synonymous with Thanksgiving even though it is unclear whether Turkey was even part of the dishes offered during the first feast with the Native Americans in 1621.

Indeed, turkey has become a staple on Thanksgiving to the extent that the National Turkey Federation has estimated that about 90 percent of Americans eat turkey during Thanksgiving.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST THANKSGIVING?

Colonists from Plymouth, England, shared a three-day feast with Native Americans in the New World in November of 1621.

However, this feast was neither named “Thanksgiving” nor did it inspire a national holiday.

Nevertheless, History.com stated that the meal did not feature desserts such as pies or cakes due to the dwindling supplies that the Pilgrims brought on the Mayflower.

Thus, the dishes were likely prepared using Native American methods.

KIM PETRAS AT THE MACY’S PARADE

Kim Petras performed at the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

WHAT IS THE MACY’S PARADE’S ROUTE?

The parade’s kickoff location was at West 77th Street and Central Park West and started at 9am Eastern Standard Time.

The parade then went through several locations that included Columbus Circle, Central Park South and 6th Avenue, and West 59th Street to West 38th Street.

At the conclusion of the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the festivities stop at Macy’s in Herald Square.

WHO PERFORMED AT THE PARADE?

This year’s headliner on NBC was Carrie Underwood, as the event returned to its in-person format after turning virtual due to COVID-19 in 2020.

The singer of “Before He Cheats” opened the Christmas season with a song from her holiday album My Gift (Special Edition), which was published on September 25.

Kristin Chenoweth and Darren Criss were among the other performers at the parade.

Kim Petras, Chris Lane, Andy Grammer, Nelly, Kelly Rowland, and the cast of Peacock’s Girls5eva also made appearances.

WHEN IS THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE?

After surrendering to pandemic restrictions last year, the 95th annual march returned this year.

There were 15 enormous character balloons, 28 floats, 36 novelty and heritage inflatables, over 800 clowns, 10 marching bands, and nine performance groups, as well as Santa Claus.

The 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade aired on Thursday, November 25 on NBC at 9am to 12pm Eastern Standard Time.

The start and end time for the parade was the same for all time zones, so everyone could enjoy the parade without a delay.

MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

Macy’s, the largest department store company in the US, hosts the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which is the world’s largest parade.

The parade began in 1924, tying America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit for the title of second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States.

BABY YODA BALLOON: SEE THE PICS

The Baby Yoda/Grogu balloon was easily one of the most popular in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

WHO HOSTED THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE TV COVERAGE?

The NBC coverage was hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker.

Ana Jurka and Carlos Adyan hosted and were accompanied by Freddy Lomelí on Telemundo.

SANTA ARRIVES AT MACY’S

Santa made his big entrance at Macy’s 34th Street right around noon.

He waved to the crowd alongside Mrs Claus, several elves, reindeer, and other beloved figures as “snow” fell over the float and the crowd.

TIPTOE MAKES DEBUT

The Tiptoe reindeer puppet made its debut at the parade this year.

The puppet wowed the crowd when the puppeteers brought it to life in front of Macy’s.

MCDONALD’S BALLOON DELIGHTS CROWD

The Ronald McDonald balloon at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade entertained the spectators below.

BALLOONS FLY OVER MANHATTAN AT MACY’S PARADE

Here are just a few of the balloons that appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

POKEMON BALLOON DELIGHTS CROWD

Pikachu and Eevee appeared together on the Pokemon balloon at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

ALL THE MACY’S PARADE FLOATS

Here are all the floats in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, according to the Macy’s website.

• Birds of a Feather Stream Together (Peacock)
• Celebration Gator (Louisiana Office of Tourism)
• Colossal Wave of Wonder (Kalahari Resorts)
• Magic Meets the Sea (Disney Cruise Line)
• 1-2-3 Sesame Street
• Big City Cheer! (Spirit of America)
• Big Red Shoe Car (McDonald’s)
• Big Turkey Spectacular (Jennie-O)
• Blue’s Clues and You! (Nickelodeon)
• Christmas in Town Square (Lifetime)
• Deck the Halls (Balsam Hill)
• Elf Pets (The Lumistella Company)
• Everyone’s Favorite Bake Shop (Entenmann’s)
• Fantasy Chocolate Factory (Kinder)
• Harvest in the Valley (Green Giant)
• Heartwarming Holiday Countdown (Hallmark Channel)
• Her Future is Stem-sational (Olay)
• Home Sweet Home (Cracker Barrel)
• Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree
• Mount Rushmore’s American Pride (South Dakota Department of Tourism)
• Rexy in the City (Coach)
• Rocking Giraffe (Macy’s)
• Rocking Lobster (Macy’s)
• Rocking Moose (Macy’s)
• Santa Express (Universal Orlando Resort)
• Santa’s Sleigh (Macy’s)
• Snoopy’s Doghouse (Peanuts)
• The Brick-Changer (Lego)
• Tom Turkey (Macy’s)
• Toy House of Marvelous Milestones (New York Life)
• Winning Winter Together (MassMutual and NHL)

ROB THOMAS PERFORMS

On the Hallmark float, singer Rob Thomas wowed the crowd by performing a festive Christmas number.

PILLSBURY DOUGH BOY BALLOON APPEARS

The beloved character floated into 34th Street and appeared in front of the Macy’s store around 11.40am.

DARREN CRISS PERFORMS

Darren Criss performed “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

CRACKER BARREL FLOAT FEATURES TAUREN WELLS

Singer Tauren Wells was featured on the Cracker Barrel float this year.

He performed on the float as dancers entertained the crowd below.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS BALLOON FLOATS INTO 34TH STREET

The Spongebob Squarepants balloon delighted the crowd as it floated into 34th Street.

Al Roker noted that the popular show first premiered in 1999.

NELLY PERFORMS

Nelly made an appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

He sang on a float as spectators danced on the sidewalk nearby.