Macy's Thanksgiving Parade To Debut New Character Balloons And Route

November 2, 2009 9:40 a.m. EST

New York, NY (CNS) - The highly anticipated 83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been scheduled to hit the streets of New York City on November 26. The parade will feature signature giant helium balloons with new characters, floats, and parade route.

Making their debut this year are four of America's best loved characters - Pillsbury Doughboy, Ronald McDonald, Sailor Mickey, and Spider-Man - and three moving stages.

The parade, set to kick off Thanksgiving Day, will also mark a milestone moment in Parade history. The 2009 procession will be the first to bypass Broadway in the route. It will begin at 77th Street and Central Park West, travel down to Columbus Circle and will turn onto Central Park South. Once it reaches 7th Avenue, it will turn to Times Square and to 42nd Street. At the intersection, it will turn east to 6th Avenua and start its final march down the Avenues of the Americas to 34th Street, where it will turn towards Macy's flagship store and end at 7th Avenue.

Floats will this year will include newcomers "Hamburger Helper," "Santa's Sleigh," and "Yo Gabba Gabba Live!"

The 83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be aired live on NBC from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.