You’ve seen them on TV – Bob the Builder, Pikachu and the WWF wrestlers. But you’ve never caught them marching down Broadway together before.
Until Thursday.
Brace yourself for the 75th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, when Bob, the WWF, Pikachu and Curious George make their big debuts.
And we do mean big: Pikachu, the cuddliest of Pokemon creatures, is 65 feet long.
So whether you’re flicking on the TV Thursday at 9 a.m. or – better still – lining up along Broadway to watch America’s biggest parade unfurl from 77th Street and Central Park West down to Herald Square, here’s what you have to look forward to.
HERE COME THE HEROES
The parade’s original theme was “Home for the Holidays.” Then came Sept. 11 – which is why, this year, we’ll see a tribute to the heroes of Ground Zero.
“The message that the parade is sending is that America is on track, that we’re moving forward, that we’re coming together as families and as a country,” says parade director Robin Hall.
And while he didn’t want to give away any surprises, he did say there’d be two symbolic flags and a float holding a group of people who represent the recovery efforts still underway.
You’ll see 39 floats in all, along with a flurry of falloons (that’s a balloon on a float), 21 clown groups, casts from four Broadway shows, 12 marching bands and, of course, the Radio City Rockettes.
Leading the parade for the first time will be a boy – a 15-year-old from Williamsport, Pa., who won a nationwide Internet contest for the honor. Close on his heels will come the Statue of Liberty float, featuring Betty Buckley singing patriotic music.
Look for Tom Turkey, too – flapping his wings, bobbing his head and gobble, gobble, gobbling from behind.
FUNKY FLOATS
Three new floats have been added to the pack this year: Bob the Builder, Dinotopia and the World Wrestling Federation’s Get R.E.A.L. (as in Respect, Education, Achievement and Leadership). That’s Vince, Linda, Shane and Stephanie McMahon in the ring – along with a few WWF superstars.
Teen stars BBMAK will perform atop the Animal Planet float, and Charlotte Church and Tony Bennett – ages 15 and 75, respectively – will be entertaining from another. And in case you don’t recognize him, the guy playing Ebenezer Scrooge is Tim Curry, star of the original “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Look closely and you’ll find John Secada and Florence Henderson riding the Santaland Express. And say – isn’t that Miss Universe atop the Jolly Polly Pirate Ship?
BIG BIRD, TWEAKED
This year, the parade organizers have added five new giant helium balloons – the most ever – including a 63-foot Big Bird with a 13-foot beak.
“He’s beautifully redesigned,” says Hall. “He’s dressed differently, he’s got cymbals, a red scarf and all of his beautiful feathers are exposed.”
Not to worry, fans – he’s still yellow.
Other newcomers include dinosaur Cheesasaurus Rex, who’ll take pictures of the crowd with his camera, and Pikachu, the parade’s first Pokemon.
That lovable monkey – Curious George, who just turned 60 but doesn’t look it – will also make his parade debut. Rising 45 feet in the air, he’ll be wearing his signature red, green and yellow muffler and cap.
Two new re-creations of classic balloons from the past can be seen as well. The Hippopotamus, first seen in 1940, will chomp down Broadway, along with the Toy Soldier, who last saluted the city in 1950.
And don’t forget Arthur, Barney, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Ronald McDonald, Jeeves, Rugrats and Snoopy. They’ll be there, too – sailing in the breeze on Thanksgiving, the all-American holiday.
The big blow-up
How do they get all those giant-sized balloons filled with air?
Find out Wednesday at the annual balloon inflation, where you can see supersize, inflated versions of Ronald McDonald, Barney and Jeeves balloon into life.
Thirty balloons in all will be inflated the day before the parade in Central Park – all told, that’s enough hot air to fill two city blocks!
Enter the park at West 77th Street and Columbus Avenue between 3 and 10 p.m. For more information, call the parade hot line at (212) 494-4495.