Before the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off, Parade was on scene as the cast and crew responsible for making the event so memorable prepped for the annual celebration.
In its 98th year, the saw some new additions, like a first-ever Minnie Mouse balloon and a float for the Bronx Zoo. But what goes on behind the scenes of the big event hosted by Today‘s Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker is just as exciting as watching the 17 character balloons, 22 floats, 15 heritage and novelty balloons, 700+ clowns, and 11 marching bands take over the streets of New York City.
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Hours ahead of the live NBC broadcast, our correspondents connected with some of the talented cast of Hell’s Kitchen as they prepared for the day ahead. One star in particular, Jackie Leon, who plays Jessica in Alicia Keys’ play on Broadway–took us along for the ride in videos shared to Parade‘s Instagram Story as they started their day at 3 a.m. local time to get ready for the show.
Leon arrived backstage shortly before 4:30 a.m., where they met with some castmates to get into character. The group’s first move was sipping on some lemon water, as it’s “good for digestion.” Then, they were off to hair, makeup and wardrobe before assuming their positions. Though Leon couldn’t document the performance, the emotional moments immediately following were captured on camera.
Despite the rain, those gathered around waiting for the balloons, floats and performers looked to be having nothing but a good time as Parade also got a view of the happenings from the grandstands located at 74th Street, with our social director Devon Sherer showing off her set up in a video also shared to Instagram Stories.
Devon Sherer/Parade
There were chants, cheers and a whole lot of positive energy as fans awaited the start of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which proceeded to go off without a hitch around its projected start time of 8:30 a.m. ET.
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