NOVEMBER
27, 2005 --
The
annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one indication that
the spirit of Federalist 57 can emerge in New York City.
It is as if the city's symbol, for one day, is not the Big Apple -- but a huge
smiley face.
From parade executive director Robin Hall leading his fifth parade, to the
parade participants, to the spectators, and to the police along the parade
route --it is hard to find a face without a smile.
The sun was not shining when the parade got underway, but this event seems
to cast its own glow, its own warmth -- and wouldn't you know, before the parade
was
over the sun did come out -- as if embarrassed that it was not shining above
the parade.
The sky was overcast, but the predicted rain (even possibility of snow) did
not happen -- and the parade started without a hitch. The one hitch that occurred
was in Times Square when a light fixture was knocked off a lamppost, apparently
by the M&M balloon, slightly injuring two sisters, Mary and Sarah Chamberlain.
As if in step with the general good feeling the parade brings to New York City,
Stephen Chamberlain, the father of Mary, 26 and Sarah, 11, said there would
be no lawsuit against the city.
Indeed, LPR caught a taped tv interview, Thanksgiving, of Mr. Chamberlain saying
he thought it would be "dishonest" to receive money from the accident
that gashed Sarah's head, requiring nine stictches, and apparently cut Mary
on the forehead.
Newspaper photos of the parade seen by this writer focused on the mishap in
Times Square.
(The New York Times reported November 28 that Macy's has agreed to pay the
family's medical bills and that Mr. Hall, according to Mr. Chamberlain was
more upset than the family.)
LPR posts photos from the parade, as it did last year -- but this time it will
post photos in two parts. The second part is planned for next week.
Before the parade got underway, LPR got some photos of the Cadets, as they
assembled on West 86th Street.
Cadets is a drum and bugle corps with a national and even international membership.
It is headquartered in
Allentown, PA.
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The
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Marching Band.
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Next, on Central Park West, a few blocks above the 77th Street starting point,
LPR got photos of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette marching band, Santa's
sleigh without Santa, Broadway star Tommy Tune, and some clowns (with one waving
at LPR).
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Leading
the parade is Robin Hall, Chris Meyer and Bill Hawthorne.
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During
the parade. LPR focused on the bands and balloons. Leading
the parade is Robin Hall, Chris Meyer and Bill Hawthorne, followed
by the Ohio University marching band, the first of eleven bands
in the parade.
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The
first band in the parade was the Ohio University Marching
Band, with Scooby-Doo poking his around the corner.
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LPR
got photos of the spectators lining
both sides of Central Park West -- those shown on the east side of the route
were sitting in bleachers for ticket holders only.
Those alongside the apartment buildings across Central Park West had, effectively,
standing room only. Residents of the buildings facing the parade had de facto
sky boxes to watch the parade.
The photos of spectators include three young people who asked to have their
picture taken and part of the crowd on the west side of Central Park West watching
Santa Claus go by.
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Juggling
along the parade route, while on unicycles.
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The
parade included cheerleaders doing acrobatics and a member
of the Gym Dandies, a group of unicyclists from Scarborough,
Maine, juggling down the parade route.
The NYPD marching band is a parade regular.
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Al
Roker and Adrien Brody
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LPR
caught 2002 Oscar winner Adrien Brody ("The Pianist")
during a pause in his interview with NBC's Al Roker. Mr. Brody
told LPR that this was his first Macy's parade.
LPR also got the attention of Miss USA
Chelsea Cooley -- the second Miss USA to appear on this website.
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Miss
USA Chelsea Cooley
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LPR noticed the Cadets color guard, near 72nd marching in the parade
in a pose similar to the exclusive LPR got earlier, on west 86th
Street.
The photos of this drum and bugle corps include one of some large bugles, with
the famous Dakota apartment building in the
background.
Georgia is among the top five LPR clicksters -- Atlanta provides more visitors
than New York or San Francisco. LPR decided to say thank you to Georgia with
several photos of the Kenesaw Mountain
High School Band.
(The M&M balloon that came to a bad end in Times Square is visible in photos
of this
George high school band.)
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All
Hawaii State Marching Band
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The bands included
an All Hawaii State marching band, followed by Sponge Bob Square
Pants, shown joining the parade, between the New-York Historical
Society
(building at left) and the Museum of Natural History.
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The
Budweiser Clyesdales seem to be acknowledging LPR,
followed by Garfield.
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The lead Clydesdale horses seemed to be looking directly at the LPR camera, between
73rd and 72nd streets, with Garfield right behind -- and above.
LPR is honored to have visitors across the country and -- across the world.
It is LPR's hope that its visitors in Stockholm, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo, among
international cities, will enjoy these photos of the Macy's parade -- and those
planned for next week -- as much as visitors from Atlanta, Denver, Chicago,
Boston and San Francisco, among U.S. cities.
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