More than 3 million people attended the annual parade.
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Spectators packed Manhattan sidewalks yesterday to watch the marching bands, floats and giant balloons of Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, held without incident under tight security nearly two weeks after deadly attacks in Paris. But Police Commissioner William Bratton said more than 2,500 officers would be stationed along the parade route for the Thanksgiving Day festivities – the largest number of officers the department has ever assigned to the event. Apart from Mariah, who performed the holiday classic All I Want for Christmas Is You, others who appeared during this year’s parade included Jordin Sparks, Panic!
Gossip Cop reports that due to the conditions outside, there usually is a backing track used for the various performances and sometimes it’s more noticeable than others. “You can’t live in fear”, said Irey, who works in the fincial sector.
Meanwhile at the White House, President Barack Obama celebrated with his family. Tom commented how surprised he had been as he saw police officers on top of Radio City for the first time.
After a video published last week on YouTube by Islamic State militants footing Times Square, city officials have affirmed there are no confirmed terrorists threats against NY.
At the parade, there will be members of the heavily armed and elite Hercules team as well as members of the city’s new counter terror force and critical response command who will also be heavily armed.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday night, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “I think people are coming here from all over the city, all over the metropolitan region, all over the country to be a part of this parade”.
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About 50 million people worldwide were expected to have watched the televised 2.5-mile (4-km) parade on a route ending at Macy’s flagship store.
