This year finds the parade taking a new path around Manhattan, skipping Broadway in favor of a route down Columbus Circle and Seventh Avenue, from 77th street down to Macy’s flagship store on 34th street. A miracle indeed!

This year’s parade includes: “1,500 dancers, cheerleaders, singers and performers; 15 giant character balloons; 800 clowns; 35 novelty or ornament balloons, balloonheads and balloonicles; 24 floats; 10 marching bands; and a slew of celebrity performers.”

And! Muppets from Sesame Street, the cast of various Broadway musicals, Miss America 2009, Katharine McPhee, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots and many, many more.