Balloons, Broadway Stars and Security at Macy’s Parade

NEW YORK (AP) – New faces and old favorites will fly, float and march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And police are going all-out to secure it in a year marked by attacks on outdoor gathering spots.

The parade steps off Thursday with marching bands, performers from Broadway hits, elaborate floats and signature giant balloons. Olaf from the movie “Frozen” and Chase from TV’s “Paw Patrol” will be among the new balloons, along with a new version of the Grinch of Dr. Seuss fame.

Authorities say there’s no confirmation of a credible threat to the parade, but security will be heavy. There will be officers with assault weapons and portable radiation detectors among the crowds, sharpshooters on rooftops and sand-filled city sanitation trucks as traffic barriers at intersections.