The iconic parade, historically watched in person by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers lining the streets of Manhattan and by Americans nationwide on their television screens, is this year limited to a television-only event due to the pandemic.
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This year's parade has been taped over the course of three days to be aired on NBC and Telemundo Thursday morning in an attempt to keep people at home as a result of rising coronavirus cases.
'That's so that we can keep everybody at home safe,' said Susan Tercero, executive producer of the parade, which NBC will air on Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon in all U.S. time zones.
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'This year, more than ever, it's really important that we still have something for everybody to tune into on Thanksgiving morning.'
Organizers of New York City's annual parade vowed that the show must still go on this year, planning the scaled-back, safe version of this year's event.
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As well as no in-person viewing of the parade, the parade route has been slashed from its usual 2.5-mile route to just a one-block area encompassing West 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
The NYPD has positioned officers and shuttered surrounding streets to prevent crowds gathering.
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Macy's day they still expect 50million people to watch the treasured tradition from home.
'Traditions like this are comforting and they're uplifting,' said Tercero.
'New York has always been a tough city. It bounces back. It takes its blows and then it continues on. And I think it's extremely important for us to display this holiday season.
Not all viewers were pleased about the editing, music choices and the off putting lack of crowds that took away from the atmosphere.
'Pathetic' one viewer branded the recorded show.
'Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving stream. I guess it tracks that 2020 would literally rain on our parade,' added another.
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Some weren't happy with the coronavirus preventions taken saying it was scary to see the performers in masks and one even joking that a miserable looking balloon was in fact a representation of COVID-19.
'These performers waving on these floats as if they have a physical audience is why I have trust issues. Who are you waving to?' write user @DiddyCoombs.
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People were also angered to learn that this was the first year a female-designed balloon had been included in the parade.
'I have No Idea why it took them this long to have their first female artist designed balloon, but at least it's here,' wrote Twitter user @MattyHorror.
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Several viewers were unhappy with the background music that covered the lack of cheering from the crowd, deeming it 'canned cheap Xmas background music' Even more were unhappy with the editing of the recorded segments.
Several measures have been put in place to ensure workers and performers are kept safe including COVID-19 testing and wellness checks before they are allowed into the parade area.
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