Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marches through Manhattan

NEW YORK -- Millions of people lined the streets of Manhattan Thursday for the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The country's largest Thanksgiving Day Parade began on the Upper West Side and ended in Herald Square, with the honor of leading the festivities going to the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band from Western Carolina University.

It was around 37 degrees with a hint of drizzle and light winds as clowns shot a burst of confetti from canisters to get the show rolling.

With 8,000 marchers and a few million more on the sidelines, spectators braved the chilly temperatures to take in the sights and sounds of this sensational spectacle.

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But the cold was certainly a challenge, especially for those not used to it. Layer upon layer of clothing couldn't shield them from the shivers.

But no one was complaining, even though many had staked out their spots very early in the morning, and then spent the time making friends with strangers.

This year, the parade featured six new giant balloons, including Thomas the Tank Engine, Paddington Bear and the red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger.

The annual event brings out throngs of people along its Midtown parade route, ending in front of Macy's flagship location.

On Wednesday, passers-by on the Upper West Side got a sneak preview, as the giant balloons were inflated with helium in the neighborhood around the American Museum of Natural History.

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"It's really cool, they're huge," San Francisco resident Ella Missan said.

Daisy Elliot, of Boston, who said she's been coming to see the balloons since she was little, agreed.

"It's really exciting for me to see the balloons year after year," she said.

The parade's executive producer, Amy Kule, said organizers were glad wintry weather that made sidewalks slick and travel treacherous on Wednesday was expected to be gone by Thursday.

"We're suffering through a little bit of this now but the end result is really going to be a beautiful parade," she said.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)