HOLLYWOOD—Thanksgiving Day, is on November 28, and everyone is getting ready. It’s a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks for many blessings. Turkey, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie-are all commonly associated with giving thanks. On this holiday, a Thanksgiving meal is prepared with all the trimmings; families gather together and talk, while others watch the parade or watch a football game.
The 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, marks the start of the holiday season, featuring giant helium balloons, floats, marching bands and of course celebrity appearances, and the one-and only-Santa Claus, of course. This year however, the wind may create some havoc. Not the first time that the parade has had its fair share of mishaps, including punctured balloons, downed light posts and injured spectators. Back in 1997, ‘The Cat in the Hat’ crashed into a lamp post due to high winds causing debris to fall on a bystander. The debris fractured the bystanders skull leaving her in a coma for a month.
Following the incident, size rules were implemented for future parades. In 2005, the M&Ms would become caught on a lamp post in Times Square causing debris to fall on two sisters causing minor injuries. In 2008, a Keith Haring-inspired balloon struck the NBC Broadcast Booth causing Al Roker to be cut off the air until the balloon was cleared away.
With more than 3.5 million spectators in New York City and more than 50 million viewers on television nationwide, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is America’s premiere holiday celebration. With more than 8,000 volunteers dressed as clowns, guiding the flight of larger-than-life character balloons, the event is jam-packed with entertainment. This year will include Astronaut Snoopy by Peanuts Worldwide, Green Eggs and Ham by Netflix and SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary by Nickelodeon. In celebration of its 75th birthday, a heritage balloon and fan favorite will return to the Parade-Smokey Bear.
Joining the festivities will be stars from a variety of global music genres including Natasha Bedingfield, Black Eyed Peas, Chicago, Ciara, Josh Dela Cruz, Debbie Gibson, former Nasa Astronauts Kay Hire & Janet Kavandi, Chris Janson, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin, Kelly Rowland, That Girl Lay Lay, TLC, Tenille Townes and Chris Young, amongst many more. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at 77th Street and Central Park West. It marches down to Columbus Circle, turns onto Central Park South and proceeds down 6th Avenue to 34th Street, where it ends at 7th Avenue in front of Macy’s Herald Square.
While some celebrities don’t eat turkey, they are strict vegetarians. Sarah Silverman, Edie Falco, Alicia Silverstone, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Carrie Underwood, Ariana Grande, Joaquin Phoenix, Michelle Pfeiffer to name a few. Liam Hemsworth, and Miley Cyrus are probably turning to vegan recipes for Thanksgiving. At least they acknowledge its Thanksgiving. Which is very respectable.
Why are people rushing the holidays? Some people skip over Thanksgiving and go right from Halloween to Christmas. To each his own, however, enjoy each holiday. Anyway, it’s that time again to load up your cart and make it across the finish line. Bargain-hunters venture out on Black Friday, looking for those special deals from iPhones to Smart TVs. Some stores even continue to interrupt family dinners in an attempt to lure consumers with bargains on which is called Grey Thursday. I must say, Trader Joe’s gives their employees the day off, the food store is closed. Hardcore shoppers each and every year will clip their coupons, throw on their sneakers and face the brutal crowds. Everyone knows that the hunt for the bargains can turn the most civilized, polite person into a Black Friday savage.
Each year, I continually say not to have unacceptable behavior, it’s rude for folks to behave that way. Then you have those that turn to online shopping, and decide not to join the throng of millions looking for deals, sales and markdowns. While, Thanksgiving may be full of feasts and festivities, it is important to remember the true meaning of the holiday. It’s about gratitude, and being thankful. It’s a day for everyone to reflect upon themselves and count their blessings. We all worry and stress about so many things on a daily basis and let obstacles and small difficulties in life consume us with worry, it’s a day to reflect on everything we have in life. Having gratitude not only shows appreciation, but will help us become happier, more satisfied, healthier, and make us better people.
Rose’s Scoop: Kim and Kourtney Kardashian along with Kris Jenner volunteered at a food bank. Way to go, so amazing.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Day!
