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On the Story
Macy's 75th Thanksgiving Day Parade
Aired November 22, 2001 - 08:17 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.
HARRIS: And they are raring to go in New York. You see there the staging of the 75th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
It's about to get underway in about oh, 43 minutes or so, and our Maria Hinojosa is standing by there in the crowd. Let's check in with her now -- Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And yes it is a crowd Leon. It is a crowd -- they've been here since 6:30 in the morning -- since 6:00 in the morning some of them, prepared to stake out their spot. Now the organizers of this Thanksgiving Day parade are saying that the parade continues to be a symbol of continuity and stability -- that that's why many people want to come out because it's something that has gone on for 75 years.
But some things have also changed in the parade. At the front of the parade, which we can actually see from where we are, we can already see the front of the parade. Yes there are balloons. There's a toy soldier. But there's also Lady Liberty who's going to be leading down this parade, which is taking on a very symbolic meaning, a patriotic meaning this time, so close to September 11th.
And a lot of people who have come to join the parade have come here for special reasons. Now Bob Lift came out here at about what Bob, 8:00?
BOB LIFT: Before that -- before that (INAUDIBLE).
HINOJOSA: Bob, you grew up coming to the parade ...
LIFT: (INAUDIBLE) parades (INAUDIBLE) Brooklyn. Sure my dad took me to the parade, now I'm taking my two to the parade.
HINOJOSA: What special meaning does it have for you this time?
LIFT: Well after September 11th it's a very poignant time in the city. I mean we, you know, one thing we're thankful for is surviving. The city's going to survive, but a lot of people didn't, but for -- but for my girls and to the kids, you know, the parade's the parade and the balloons and who are we waiting to see? Who are we waiting to see?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jimmy Neutron.
LIFT: Jimmy Neutron.
(CROSSTALK)
LIFT: And who are we waiting to see? Who do you want to see?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jimmy Neutron.
LIFT: Also Jimmy Neutron.
HINOJOSA: OK Jimmy Neutron, who is going to be premiering in this parade.
LIFT: That's what I understand.
HINOJOSA: OK Bob, let me -- let me take over to this way. Thanks Bob and Clara and Elani. There are also people who have grown up with fear in their lives. Ann Lansman and her family are here and Ann is a writer and she grew up in South Africa. And for you this time coming to the parade means what Ann?
ANN LANSMAN: It means a lot. Just after September 11th, I felt myself saying thank you a lot to people, just (INAUDIBLE) cab drivers, people in stores. Just thanking New Yorkers for just being here and being alive, and I really felt this extraordinary sense of community and of belonging.
And so today for me is really big, I think. Kind of, I think we're all giving thanks to each other and to the city as a whole and it's really important for us to show that kind of community and continuity to our children.
HINOJOSA: And a benchmark, also, that people are saying I feel safe enough to come out.
LANSMAN: I think it's really important to demonstrate that because we don't demonstrate that, we've really lost a lot. We've lost ourselves, and we have to really keep ourselves through all of this and just keep moving forward.
HINOJOSA: OK. Well thanks so much. Have a good time Tess and Adam and James. Everybody have a wonderful time, which is the plan here at this Thanksgiving Day parade. Back to you Leon.
HARRIS: All right Maria, I see now that what we're going to have to do here is we're going to have to see who gets the biggest round of applause. Is it going to be the fireman balloon that comes by or is it going to be Jimmy Neutron?
Now do you even know who Jimmy Neutron is?
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Do you know who Jimmy Neutron is?
HINOJOSA: Come on man, I've got two kids. I've got two kids. Of course, but I'm looking forward to Curious George, my favorite. HARRIS: Oh, OK. All right good deal. I think he's right behind your buddy. Is it Pikachu right behind or is it the Big Bird (INAUDIBLE). I got the list right here. Let's see, Curious George, hang on Maria. Stick with me here. Curious George, in fact, is right in front of Big Bird, and they're both making their debuts this day. So you're going to have a good time yourself this morning. So we'll get back to you later on ...
HINOJOSA: That's because -- that's because Curious George is a little bit older than Big Bird.
HARRIS: Oh, is that it? OK. Deferring to seniority, I understand. We do that all the time around here. All right Maria, you stay warm. We'll get back to you in just a bit.
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