h. nazan ışık —

27 November 2019—

It is that time of the year. Tomorrow, on Thursday, is the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It is a day of jollity. Big balloons, floats, cheerleaders, dancers, clowns and marching bands will hit the parade route and enliven spectators.

But today, on Wednesday there is a very interesting “the Macy’s Thanksgiving Eve Balloon Inflation” event, outside Manhattan’s Museum of Natural History from 1–8 pm. It is a great opportunity to see the balloons, up close, come to life.

It is 4:00 pm now, some balloons are ready, and people are enjoying viewing them.

‘The Aflac Duck’ is ready for the parade.

At 5:00 pm Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O’Neill are expected to deliver remarks and members of the media are pre-set waiting.

Oh no! All of a sudden it started raining. Not raining, pouring it is.

Rain, rain, rain! Cameras are covered with plastic, umbrella are in use…

Rain stopped just the way it started. But it is windy now.

Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner O’Neill (second from left) are delivering remarks at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Eve Balloon Inflation event.

Mayor de Blasio: I want everyone to just get quick update here. Obviously, we all have on our mind these wonderful balloons and how they’re going to do tomorrow. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I’m going to keep asking everyone, keep this City of New York and your thoughts and prayers so the wind will stay calm and we’ll be able to let these balloons fly.

If the wind will just stay a little bit lower, we’re going to be okay and be able to have all the people come out and enjoy this incredible parade.

And now, I want to turn to our commissioner and just say – it’s been, I think, 35 years, Jimmy? Something like that?

(L to R) Macy’s CEO Jeffrey Gennette, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner James O’Neill at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Eve Balloon Inflation event

Police Commissioner James O’Neill: Almost 37.

Mayor: Almost – I’m sorry – 37 years, Jimmy O’Neill has been a member of the NYPD. He has given his heart and soul to this city. This is, I think, the last official event we’ll be doing together (Commissioner O’Neill is resigning and will take a job in a private sector). But I want to tell you, you have done so much for this city. We are so grateful for you.

Commissioner O’Neill: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Jeff. I was hoping you weren’t going to say that you were thankful that I was leaving.

[Laughter]

Good evening, everyone. Thanks for being here. Wind or no wind, we absolutely urge everybody to come out and enjoy what is without a doubt one of New York City’s greatest family-oriented traditions. I want to thank Macy’s for being such a great partner with the NYPD in the planning of this each year, both the balloon inflation and the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Mayor de Blasio: Everybody, in the spirit of the season, go out there, be with everyone you love, and be there for your fellow New Yorkers.

Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

Crew members continue to inflate balloons.

‘SpongeBob Square Pants’ is resting under a net.

‘Branch and princess poppy of Trolls’

All big balloons are secured under a net with sand bags for the windy weather.

‘The Elf on the Shelf’

‘Wiggle Worm’

All the balloons are ready for tomorrow. Now it is the time for workers to rest a little, as spectators are viewing the balloons.

If the weather allows tomorrow, the 93 edition of the parade will display big character balloons, along with novelty, heritage balloons and floats, celebrates, cheerleaders, dancers, clowns and marching bands.

Happy Thanksgiving!

All photographs © h. nazan ışık /NKENdiKEN