NEW YORK — Giant balloons took to the clear, sunny sky over midtown Manhattan on Thursday for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with spectators lining up along the parade route and a heavy police presence keeping a watchful eye.
The parade, in its 89th year, included marching bands and floats to go along with Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Paddington and other giant balloons.
City officials have said there are no known, credible threats against New York following the recent attacks in Paris and a video purportedly produced by the Islamic State group that contained video clips of Times Square. But Police Commissioner William Bratton said more than 2,500 officers would be stationed along the parade route for the Thanksgiving Day festivities — the largest number of officers the department has ever assigned to the event.
As the parade made its way through midtown Manhattan, helicopters flew overhead and officers stood on top of mobile command center vans to watch the crowds. Police even stood on top of the marquee at Radio City Music Hall.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.