Macy's Thanksgiving parade will be security-conscious

NEW YORK -- Amid heightened security, the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade promised to be a star-spangled event following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Tribute to America, the first float in Thursday's parade, features a giant Statue of Liberty surrounded by midshipmen from the Merchant Marine Academy of New York waving 50 state flags and 50 American flags to the tune of "America the Beautiful," sung by Broadway star Betty Buckley, of "Cats" fame.

Heroes to be honored

It will be followed by a float honoring the city's heroes, escorted by the New York Police Department marching band performing "New York, New York." Firefighters, police and emergency workers on the float will hold two 54-foot flag-theme banners, representing the World Trade Center towers when seen from the air.

Officer Danny Rodriguez is set to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" atop the annual Big Apple float, escorted by mounted police.

Security will be tighter than usual.

"This year, we have again been working with NYPD as well as state and federal law enforcement agencies to put in place the appropriate security plan to ensure the safest and most secure parade," said Macy's spokesman Orlando Veras.

Besides the flags and uniforms, a new Curious George balloon will lead the parade, along with four other giant helium balloons: a bright yellow Pikachu from Pokemon; a new Big Bird, carrying ABC symbols; an orange Cheesasaurus Rex from Kraft Macaroni and Cheese; and Jimmy Neutron, based on the Nickelodeon character.

In addition to the tribute floats, there will be a World Wrestling Federation float, along with Hallmark's Dinotopia, PBS's Bob the Builder, and Macy's own Percy the Poor Little Penguin and Green Dog.

No Yankees this year

Unlike last year, the Yankees were not scheduled to participate.

The weather was expected to be clear and warmer than last year's below-freezing Thanksgiving. Meteorologists predict temperatures reaching the high 50s and only a light wind.

"But the only real measurement that matters to me is the one taken at 7 o'clock in the morning Thanksgiving Day," said Henry Perahia, chief engineer for the city's Department of Transportation, who decides how and if the balloons will fly.

A half-dozen engineers constantly monitor windspeed along the route, as do the assistant pilots of each balloon.

The parade, televised nationally on NBC, runs from 9 a.m. to noon EST.