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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons get all-clear to fly – Metro US

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons get all-clear to fly

thanksgiving day parade (Credit: Andrew Kelly/Getty Images)

After forecasts of high winds threatened to ground the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons, the police department has given the all-clear to let all 16 balloons fly today.

The giant balloons would not have been allowed to fly in sustained winds exceeding 23 mph or wind gusts over 34 mph, according to a city rule that was enacted after a Cat in the Hat balloon struck a lamppost in 1997 and seriously injured a spectator.

Today’s parade kicked off at 9 a.m.

More than 3.5 million people were expected to attend the parade today as it marches down Central Park West, across Central Park South and down Sixth Avenue to Herald Square.

Though winds are cooperating so far, parade-goers can expect cold weather with highs reaching only the mid-30s.