Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
76th Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Today in New York
Aired November 28, 2002 - 06:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a parade. It is the 76th Macy's Thanksgiving parade today in New York. It kicks off in about three hours from now.
Our Maria Hinojosa is standing by along the parade route -- I hope you're bundled up well, Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, but now that you tell me that I've got to wait another three hours, I'm really worried it's going to be too cold.
CALLAWAY: You're thinking about backing out, aren't you?
HINOJOSA: Yes, no, the kids should definitely think about bringing something to keep their toes warm, which is at this point the part of my body that's freezing right now. 2.5 million parade goers are expected today, even though it's expected to be this cold. Another 40 to 50 million people watching this on television. And you've just got to love New Yorkers, because they come out six o'clock in the morning, we've got some pictures to show you of the people who are lining up now, but they arrived as early as 6:00 a.m. this morning, bundled up, bringing those blankets, bringing the strollers, just so that they can make sure that they are close enough to the Central Park West route that the parade takes down two and a half miles.
They'll be watching a thousand cheerleaders and lots of special floats. Last night another New York City tradition took place and that's when the balloons get blown up at the beginning of the parade route. That's on 77th Street. There you see Charlie Brown, who's going to be a new character today; Kermit, who comes back after 12 years; and Little Bill, the first African-American balloon in the parade's 76 year history. So there are a lot of people who are very excited about that, Little Bill from a Nickelodeon television show about an African-American family that lives in Baltimore.
Now, the parade, when it first started 76 years ago, was actually called the Macy's Christmas Day Parade, even though it was being held on Thanksgiving. And in that parade they actually had live animals -- camels, goats, elephants. None of those today. But lots of fabulous floats and lots of really good, good mood, good cheer today out in New York -- back to you, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: It's too cold for the animals, but us crazy people go out there to watch these silly balloons go by. You know, that Little Bill balloon, that's a great show. My kids love "Little Bill." We'll be looking for it. HINOJOSA: So do my kids. They love it, as well. That was one of the things they were saying, "We want to go see Little Bill." So they're on their way soon.
CALLAWAY: That's all right.
Maria, stay warm.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
HINOJOSA: Thank you.
OK, you, too.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 28, 2002 - 06:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a parade. It is the 76th Macy's Thanksgiving parade today in New York. It kicks off in about three hours from now.
Our Maria Hinojosa is standing by along the parade route -- I hope you're bundled up well, Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, but now that you tell me that I've got to wait another three hours, I'm really worried it's going to be too cold.
CALLAWAY: You're thinking about backing out, aren't you?
HINOJOSA: Yes, no, the kids should definitely think about bringing something to keep their toes warm, which is at this point the part of my body that's freezing right now. 2.5 million parade goers are expected today, even though it's expected to be this cold. Another 40 to 50 million people watching this on television. And you've just got to love New Yorkers, because they come out six o'clock in the morning, we've got some pictures to show you of the people who are lining up now, but they arrived as early as 6:00 a.m. this morning, bundled up, bringing those blankets, bringing the strollers, just so that they can make sure that they are close enough to the Central Park West route that the parade takes down two and a half miles.
They'll be watching a thousand cheerleaders and lots of special floats. Last night another New York City tradition took place and that's when the balloons get blown up at the beginning of the parade route. That's on 77th Street. There you see Charlie Brown, who's going to be a new character today; Kermit, who comes back after 12 years; and Little Bill, the first African-American balloon in the parade's 76 year history. So there are a lot of people who are very excited about that, Little Bill from a Nickelodeon television show about an African-American family that lives in Baltimore.
Now, the parade, when it first started 76 years ago, was actually called the Macy's Christmas Day Parade, even though it was being held on Thanksgiving. And in that parade they actually had live animals -- camels, goats, elephants. None of those today. But lots of fabulous floats and lots of really good, good mood, good cheer today out in New York -- back to you, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: It's too cold for the animals, but us crazy people go out there to watch these silly balloons go by. You know, that Little Bill balloon, that's a great show. My kids love "Little Bill." We'll be looking for it. HINOJOSA: So do my kids. They love it, as well. That was one of the things they were saying, "We want to go see Little Bill." So they're on their way soon.
CALLAWAY: That's all right.
Maria, stay warm.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
HINOJOSA: Thank you.
OK, you, too.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
