The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a time-honored tradition in New York City since 1924, making it the second-oldest parade in the country (tied with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit). Since 1953, people all over the country have been able to appreciate the Manhattan parade from the comfort of their own homes as it's televised on national TV each year, and this year, that's the only way that viewers can witness the magic. Unless, of course, you're one of the lucky few who live within the sightline of these festive floats.

Every year, the parade starts at 9 AM and ends promptly at 12 PM with plenty of work behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly, that each air-filled float is secured and ready for marching, and that each float is safe and ready to go at their march time. This year, the staff and performers are being cut down by roughly 75% in order to comply with COVID-19 safety regulations, but the good news is this: The show will go on, and the parade will happen this year, with the entire country able to watch from the safety of their own homes.

The Changes Put Into Place

According to Today anchor Hoda Kotb and show producer Susan Tercero, there will be nothing lacking from this year's parade, and that both the spirit and festivity of the event will be fully intact. With so many things changing this year or being canceled altogether, it's promising to know that the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade will still be going on, even if it does look a bit different with no spectators gathering at its sidelines. For many, the holiday simply isn't the same without starting the morning off by watching this beloved parade and it's one thing that 2020 hasn't yet been able to shut down.

With that being said, there are strict rules in place and some changes that will look a bit different to viewers. As stated before, there will be no spectators allowed - the parade will not be open to people gathering as crowds have tremendous potential to spread illness and an event as massive as this would just be asking for trouble. Rather, authorities are requesting that people stay home to watch the parade on their own TVs (many states are even discouraging travel altogether) in order to keep themselves and others safe. In order to bolster this change, there won't be any designated spaces for spectators to stand and watch. According to Kotb, who spoke about the 2020 parade in a media call, "It's going to be different, obviously, you’re not going to have all the crowds, but for most people who watch it from home you're going to see what you normally see like, 'Wow, look at that float! We can't do it the way we always did it, everything's different, but I feel like when you're watching from home you're going to enjoy it as much as you would have in years past."

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As far as live performances go, there have been changes to this as well. The Rockettes, which is one of the most looked-forward-to acts during the parade, will be pre-taped, as will many other performances to limit exposure and risk of large gatherings. As far as the scheduled marching bands go, their performances have been pushed back to the 2021 parade, with the spots going to local, tri-state area musical acts. Viewers can look forward to performances from the West Indian American Day Parade and the Puerto Rican Day Parade, both of which were canceled earlier this year due to the pandemic. Performances from the casts of 'Mean Girls,' 'Hamilton,' and 'Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations' will also be on the schedule. For those who look forward to musical performances every year, viewers have the chance to see Patti LaBelle, Dolly Parton, Bebe Rexha, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jordan Sparks. Santa will also be in attendance, making an early pre-Christmas appearance as usual.

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So, what about the balloons that viewers 'ooh' and 'ahh' over year after year? They'll be in attendance, too - but without as many handlers as usual. Instead, the handlers that are present will have a little help from utility vehicles. Every participant in the parade will be over the age of 18 and will have the proper protective measures in place before the parade kicks off at 9 AM, in front of the flagship Macy's store. The hosts of the parade are determined to make it feel as though nothing has changed, giving all the viewers at home an authentic experience to look forward to on Thanksgiving morning.

Next: Tips For Having A Good (Socially-Distant) Thanksgiving This Year