Thanksgiving Day Parade 2010

Behind the scenes at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

At a time when most people are still warm and asleep in their beds, my dad and I were headed to 34th Street and Herald Square in Manhattan for the 84th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday.It was almost pitch black when we left, but the sky began to lighten up as we traveled in our cab on Fifth Avenue.

We got out on 36th Street and walked over to Broadway with a crowd of other early risers, all anxious to get the holiday season under way. With a flash of my press pass to a police officer, we were on 34th Street in no time. As soon as we were ready, my dad took out his camera and I started my video report just as the sun was rising.

The scene on 34th Street was at first more busy than noisy, but as soon as NBC Today Show anchors Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieria arrived, it got really noisy with rehearsals and even more hectic than before.

People began to arrive for the parade and the grandstands soon were packed with spectators. We nabbed our own seats with about an hour to go until the parade began.

As we were waiting, I looked over to another part of the grandstands where I sat last year to do my video report. With almost five minutes to go, people started handing out rainbow colored confetti to throw. I couldn’t wait for the parade to start!

The cheerleaders who kick off the parade got into position, a nervous but excited look on their faces. As the parade began and I started my video report, a cloud of rainbow-colored confetti whirled in the air, landing in my hair. I did my best with all the craziness around me and managed to do it all in only two takes.

As the parade moved along, I especially checked out the clowns. I knew the best clowns would be the Pool Hall Clowns—one of which was my mom!

The parade was packed with giant balloons, clowns, marching bands and more, but the best is always saved for last. Santa Claus arrived in his sleigh at the Macy’s store in Herald Square amidst a whirl of white confetti. Happy Holidays!

—Alexis Wiseman

VIDEO: Kid Reporter Alex Wiseman's Thanksgiving Day parade report from 34th and Herald Square in New York City. (Video Courtesy Alexis Wiseman)

Comments

[Kid Reporter Danielle A.]

Hi Alex

I totally loved your video on the parade! It looked like a lot of fun to be there. Have a great year!

[Kid Reporter Alexis Wiseman]

Hi Danielle

Thanks! It was a lot of fun and definitly worth waking up super early to go to.

[Kid Reporter Wanjiku Gatheru]

I agree with Danielle, that was a great video and article! It seemed a lot of fun! Happy Holidays!