Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

Kickstarting the holiday season in New York City.

Bucket list item - CHECKED! Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, a beloved tradition for over 90 years, kickstarts the holiday season in New York City. Crowds line up from 6am, despite the weather, to watch celebrities, Broadway performers, marching bands, larger than life iconic balloons and floats with an ending of Santa himself on his reindeer. With approximately 3.5 million attendees lining the streets of New York City, I thought it would definitely not be an experience Annie can enjoy. However, last year while watching the parade on TV, I spotted wheelchair user and so the idea that this may actually be possible was created.

At the beginning of fall this past year, I reached out to Macy’s generic email address listed on the parade’s website and sent several follow ups. They then put me in contact with the PR team, since we share our experiences on a blog, we’re considered press. It took some time before getting in touch with an amazing staff member who then explained to us they have a partnership with YAI, a non-profit organization  that partners up with the NYPD and volunteers, providing a secure viewing area along the parade route for people with disabilities and their friends and families. She also extended an offer I couldn’t resist, which were grandstand tickets, reserved for Macy’s Friends & Family, press contacts, charity organizations etc. She understood my concern with Annie being a wheelchair user in a large crowd and put me in contact with another amazing staff to help operationally coordinate our once in a lifetime experience.

The night before the parade, we heard the winds may ground the balloons and had to wait until the morning of to find out if there would be a parade. Getting up at 4:30 am really excited and nervous (there is always nervousness for outdoor experiences that involves a large crowd), the parade was on. We arrived at 6:30am and were greeted by the glow of sunrise and warmer than usual temperatures as well as the friendly staff who helped us make our way to the lines for ticket scan then escorted us to an accessible seating area. It was amazing to see and meet many other people with disabilities and their families, who were also very excited and nervous for the experience and at the end, absolutely loved it.

I had seen the parade many times while working on Thanksgiving day from my indoor office building in Times Square as well as a couple years ago from an office on 38th Street, none of it beat the immersive experience of being in the crowd, cheering, chanting and clapping along. Some of the interactive performers came up close to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and threw funfetti at the crowd. Although the balloons flew at a lower level and some were noticeably deflated, we thought the closer views were spectacular against the famed Dakota Building along Central Park West. Covered in funfetti and the last remnants of fall leaves and making friends out of strangers, we were all completely satiated and grateful for this priceless experience. Thank you Macy’s for making this dream a beautiful reality which exceeded all expectations and was perfect in every way! Special kudos to your fantastic staffs and the NYPD.

If it's ever been your dream to attend, know you can plan your experience with the YAI organization!

P.S. Wondering about the fellas? They offered to stay home and do some of the heavy cooking for our Thanksgiving dinner for 15 family members. If you're curious about inclusive activities, we coupled up to play dominoes, scrabble and decorate cookies, my partner was Annie. Our family gathering was another lovely memory for the day.

Important Tips and Accessibility:
- Public ADA viewing is set up by NYPD and with coordination by YAI .
- People who contact the organization get access on a first come, first served basis.
- Location is decided 10 days before the parade.
- Click here for a link to the YAI website with more information on accessibility.
- Dress in layers with plenty of warm clothing, it’s best to take off than to be cold.
- Accessible portable restrooms are available.

- Contact for participation in parade: yaiarts@yai.org or artsandculture@yai.org 

* Please note our experience in the grandstand area will not be the same as the one from the YAI, since we were given special preferences with press passes.

Important: Information is subject to change, please visit https://www.yai.org/ for the most up to date details.
Oct 2024