The 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

The 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Marches Down Central Park West Towards Macy's Herald Square

There is nothing more fun and perfect to do on Thanksgiving morning than going to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade happen live in New York City! The energy from the thousands of onlookers is contagious and the sights of the iconic giant balloons and the sounds of marching bands from all over the country bring out your inner kid.  

I have been to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade once before but this time I was lucky enough to watch the 88th year of this time-honored parade with my Mom who flew in from Texas!  It was so cool to go from watching it on TV for years and years with her in Texas to being right in front of it as it passed by.

So what could make this grand parade even more grand?  Well that would be celebrities of course!  Check out who I spotted floating down the parade route yesterday and don't forget to leave a comment telling me who made your turkey twerk by seeing them at the Parade and/or which performances you loved... or hated!

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Meghan Trainor

I loved seeing the gal who has put the bass in all of our lives this year, Meghan Trainor.  She looked so excited to be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and was waving to everyone she possibly could.  I actually had the chance to interview Meghan before she blew up this past summer for YRB Magazine.  Look out for that fun and fab article on OJ&B soon! 

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Nick Jonas

We have seen a lot and I mean A LOT (I know y'all have seen the photos) of Nick Jonas this year and so it would make sense that he would be trotting down the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route.  Things are going really well for this Jo Bro and I am interested to see where his career takes him.  I loved his fall/winter look for the Parade as well.  You go Glenn Co.. I mean Nick Jonas!

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

KISS

Thanksgiving and KISS go hand in hand like Ariana Grande and her brother thinking he is just as famous as her.  There is something not quite right about it but you go ahead and watch anyway because it is there and it is happening.  Gene Simmons was doing his iconic move of sticking out his tongue and the guys seemed like they were having an amazing time which is what is most important. Party slash rock on KISS! 

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

A member of KISS rocking out with the crowd

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel looks beautiful as always coming down Central Park West.  The Broadway and film star  was one of the celebrities that I was most excited about seeing at the parade.  The thing that amazes me is that most is that the celebrities ride in the open cold and drizzle from 77th street down to Macy's with cameras waiting for them to do a short performance.  They always seem to still look flawless once they arrive.  I have to wonder if their glam squad is somewhere hiding on the float or dressed as one of the parade clowns.  Props should also be given to the dancers and marching bands who walk the entire parade route and then kill it on camera in front of Macy's. Get it! 

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Quvenzhanè Wallis

It was so much fun seeing Academy Award nominated actress and Star of the revamped movie Annie, Quvenzhanè Wallis in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with her fellow Annie cast mates.  This girl seems to be having the time of her life promoting her new movie.  I am excited to see it and I love that they made the classic story of Annie modern and fresh.  The new Annie better werk! 

For many people the stars of the parade are really the floats and iconic giant parade balloons.  Take a look at some of the amazing balloons that I got to see literally float over my head as well as a few fun floats that glided by! 

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Hello Kitty

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Spiderman

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Paddington Bear

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The Pillsbury Doughboy

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Thomas The Tank Engine

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Spongebob Squarepants 

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Finn & His Magical Dog Jake From Adventuretime 

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The Red Ranger From The Mighty Morphing Power Rangers

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Pikachu With His "SnowmanChu" as I called it

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Vintage Macy's Police Officer Balloon 

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Vintage Macy's Elf Balloons

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Papa Smurf

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Smurfette On The Smurfs Float

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Dora The Explorer & Diego with Singer Becky G

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Rafael & Donatello From The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

The Kool-Aide Man

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Mr. Peanut 

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The Iconic Tom Turkey with Sandra Lee

Photo by: Jonathan Valdez

Santa Claus Officially Ringing In The Holiday Season

Now that Santa Claus has officially come to town it is now time for the most wonderful time of the year!  I hope all of you had a fabulous Thanksgiving and that you refrain from being a Holiday Hot Mess this season! 

P.S. Check out this fun little video of me doing a bit of parade commentary a la Aladdin:

At the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade giving you some parade commentary realness.

A video posted by Jonathan Valdez (@jonathanrvaldez) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:03am PST