Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Marches With Tight Security

NEW YORK, NY -- The 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade wound its way through Midtown, Manhattan, on Thursday morning, bringing its signature brightly colored floats and giant balloons with an extra helping of security this year.

More than 3 million people swarmed the streets - and another 50 million watched from home - for a glimpse at the annual procession that featured marching bands, Broadway performers, elaborate floats and giant balloons, the Associated Press reported. Olaf from the Disney movie 'Frozen' and Chase from the cartoon 'Paw Patrol' were among this year's new balloons in the parade.

The parade, which started at 9 a.m., featured star appearances from Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Flo Rida and Wyclef Jean, the AP reported. There were also performances from the casts of Broadway's 'Anastasia,' 'Dear Evan Hanson' and 'Spongebob Squarepants,' in addition to a dozen marching bands, the Daily Mail reported.

But amid the celebrations remained constant reminders that security at the parade had been beefed up more than ever this year in the wake of recent terror attacks, the AP reported. In October, a gunman killed 58 after opening fire on a country music concert from his high rise hotel room in Las Vegas. Weeks later, eight were killed when a truck plowed into people on a bike path in lower Manhattan.

While New York authorities said there was no evidence of a threat to this year's parade, the NYPD stepped up its security to avoid another tragedy. Officers among the crowds carried assault weapons and portable radiation detectors, while sharpshooters were stationed on rooftops, the Daily Mail Reported. Sand trucks were also used as traffic stops, the AP reported.

Lead image: Participants stand below a parade balloon before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins in New York, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)