What do Jimmy Fallon, Miss America, and Santa Claus all have in common?

They were part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year! Being an icon of popular culture got you a spot on one of the floats, and from what I saw it was a great way to spend the morning, waving at masses of people like me.  Jimmy Fallon jammed with characters from Sesame Street, Kelly Pickler blew kisses (in a gorgeous coat) while Miss America waved a perfect pageant wave. Late in the parade I wiggled my way to the front row and got Santa to wave at me for a picture, how cool is that!

Nothing like a good parade to lift ones spirits.  Since we weren’t with family or friends this year for Thanksgiving, we made the early morning trek to the parade, and it didn’t disappoint.

I don’t have many memories of watching the parade as a child, perhaps because on the West Coast we were still sleeping as the parade got started. Or perhaps we weren’t a parade watching family, or maybe the memories just slipped away. But now I had a huge appreciation for this playful all-American event. Here are some images from the day…crazy big balloons, clowns, stilt walkers, elaborate costumes, and loads of marching bands. My next parade, Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro! (a girl can dream, can’t she?)

The Meadowlands seen from the train ride into the city