NYPD steps up security ahead of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) – Final preparations are underway on Wednesday for the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The NYPD said there are no credible threats to Thursday's celebrations. Sanitation officials, federal agents and the NYPD are all working together to secure the 2.5-mile-long parade route from the Upper West Side to Herald Square.

Concerns are high after pro-Palestinian protesters glued themselves to the ground along the parade route last year. In addition, three people were killed last week in a stabbing spree across Manhattan.

"We have assets that you will see out there, stuff that you won’t see out there, undercover officers will be using our drones and other technology to make sure that people are safe and we ask all of our community anyone who comes out to enjoy. We asked them to keep their eyes open as well," NYPD Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey said.

At least 10,000 people are participating in the parade, with more than 2 million spectators expected. The balloons featured in the parade will be inflated starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

The public can gather outside the American Museum of Natural History to watch their favorite characters take flight. Thirty balloons are expected this year with six new characters including Minnie Mouse, Goku and Spider-Man.