Back for another year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade makes its return. Whether you are going in person to watch the parade, or tuning in to watch it on Thanksgiving morning, The Buzz is here to give you all you need to know, including the featured balloons, hosts, performances, and some history on the parade. 

The Macy’s parade is never lacking when it comes to their balloon lineup, and this year is no exception. Classic floats like Snoopy, Spongebob and Pillsbury Doughboy, are set to make a return in this year’s parade. Other features include Goku from the famous anime “Dragon Ball” and Sonic The Hedgehog celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the franchise. Smokey The Bear will celebrate its run as the longest-lasting PSA in American history.

Special performances by Carrie Underwood will be featured in the parade. She will perform a song from her album “My Gift.” This year’s parade also will feature performances from Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! SIX the Musical and Wicked. Alongside will be performances from NBC’s Annie Live! Watchers will get a sneak peek of the TV adaptation of the classic Broadway production set to air on Dec. 2. The parade will be hosted by Savannah Guthrie Hoda Kotb and Al Roker. Guthrie and a co-anchor and chief legal editor for the “Today Show” and has been a host since 2012. Kotb is an award-winning journalist correspondent on “Dateline” and a New York Times Bestselling author. This will be Kotb’s third year hosting the Macy’s parade. Roker has been a parade host since 1995 and is a 13-time Emmy winner as well as a co-host and weather forecaster for the “Today Show. Roker is also a best-selling author and TV producer. The Radio City Rockets are going to continue their tradition of kicking off the parade with their performance. The City of New York will manage several public viewing locations and safer procedures,” according to the official Macy’s website. More information about the parade can be found at Macys.com/social/parade.

The parade has as much history as it does floats, balloons and performances. The parade began in 1924 as a Christmas parade that covered an entire city block. The parade itself was not about Thanksgiving at all. But about Christmas. It was later changed to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. During World War II it was canceled for three years to help with war efforts.