On Thursday Nov. 24, 2011, the 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade lit up the streets of Manhattan with mammoth floats and toe-tapping high school bands. As the star-studded revelers marched through the Big Apple, an estimated 3.5 million lined the streets to cheer them on.
The Thanksgiving Day parade is the quintessential Thanksgiving event, watched by 50 million turkey-gobbling families across America.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's a look at the best of the 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in photos:
Photo: REUTERS
The Smurfs balloon floats through Times Square during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 24, 2011.
Photo: REUTERS
The Kung Fu Panda balloon floats through Times Square during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 24, 2011.
Photo: REUTERS
The Buzz Lightyear balloon floats through Times Square during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 24, 2011.
Photo: REUTERS
The Kermit the Frog balloon floats through Times Square during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 24, 2011.
Photo: REUTERS
The Mobile Azalea Trail Maids perform on Central Park West during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 24,
Photo: REUTERS
The Hawaii All-State Marching Band make its way through Times Square during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 24, 2011.
Photo: REUTERS
A Spiderman performer runs underneath the Spiderman balloon as it floats down Central Park West during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York November 24, 2011.
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