Native New Yorkers and tourists witnessed the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, despite freezing winter weather and strong winds, the final burst of winter Storm Boreas
The parade, the 87th to be held, boasted the event’s now traditional raft of trademark balloons, although some were not allowed to fly due to the excessive gusts.
Macy's Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York
Macy's Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York City(01 of23)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Residents in an appartment block watch as giant balloons float past during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2013 in New York City. Despite earlier concerns about the wind, the balloons flew as planned for the parade. (Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Macy's Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York City(02 of23)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Spectators watch as the Hello Kitty balloon floats above the street during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2013 in New York City. Despite earlier concerns about the wind, the balloons flew as planned for the parade. (Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Macy's Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York City(03 of23)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Residents in an appartment block watch as giant balloons float past during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2013 in New York City. Despite earlier concerns about the wind, the balloons flew as planned for the parade. (Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Macy's Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York City(04 of23)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: The Uncle Sam balloon floats above the street during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2013 in New York City. Despite earlier concerns about the wind, the balloons flew as planned for the parade. (Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of23)
Snoopy flies by as spectators look on during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
(06 of23)
Snoopy flies by as spectators look on during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
(07 of23)
Sonic flies by during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
Riley Young(08 of23)
Riley Young, 3, right, of Cape Town, Mass., wears a Hello Kitty hat while she looks at the Hello Kitty balloon approach during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
(09 of23)
A performer carries balloons during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
(10 of23)
Spectators dressed as turkey stand behind police barricades as they wait for the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday.(AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
(11 of23)
People look at a map in a crowd waiting for the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
(12 of23)
Balloon handlers wait before the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
(13 of23)
Balloon handlers wait before the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
(14 of23)
A balloon handler smiles as protective netting is removed from a giant Sonic the Hedgehog balloon before the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
(15 of23)
Balloon handlers wait for protective netting to be removed from a giant Sonic the Hedgehog balloon before the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
(16 of23)
Workers prepare the giant Snoopy balloon before the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
Crystal Nix, Destiny Golden(17 of23)
Crystal Nix, left, and Destiny Golden brave the cold while sitting on bleachers as they wait for the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
(18 of23)
Police officers adjust a barricade as people wait in cold weather along the route of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
Morgan Smithberger, Carly Smithberger(19 of23)
Carly Smithberger, left, and her sister Morgan Smithberger try to keep warm while waiting for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to start, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
Kim Dodson(20 of23)
Kim Dodson, of Kissimmee, Fla., wears a hat with a turkey while keeping warm before the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
Jennifer Shadwell, Daniel Shadwell(21 of23)
Jennifer Shadwell, left, and Daniel Shadwell keep warm before the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
(22 of23)
People wait before the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)
Kim Dodson(23 of23)
Kim Dodson, of Kissimmee, Fla., wears a hat with a turkey while keeping warm before the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (credit:AP)