A balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade being blown up in 2018. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0.
By Gus Saltonstall
Before the world famous Thanksgiving Day Parade sets off on Thursday, the iconic balloons and floats that make up the procession come to life Wednesday on the Upper West Side.
Crowd favorites such as Snoopy, Smokey Bear, Spider Man, and Dora will be inflated the day before the parade.
In total, there will be 34 balloons and 28 floats in this year’s rendition of the event, including five new balloons and seven new floats.
Here is what to know about the inflation event on Wednesday, which the public can attend.
Location and Time
The viewing hours for the Inflation Event will be from 1 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, but the line to get in will open at noon.
The inflation event will take place outside the American Museum of Natural History from West 77th to 81st streets, between Columbus and Central Park West.
All guests, though, must enter through a secure checkpoint at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Once you’re through the checkpoint, the route heads up along Central Park West to West 77th Street, before turning west and traveling along Columbus Avenue until West 81st Street.
After viewing the balloons, guests will exit the inflation area at West 81st Street and Central Park West, and head north on Central Park West to see the float assembly between West 81st and 86th streets.
Here is a diagram of the route.
Courtesy of Macy’s.
Street Closures
The street closures related to the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Inflation Event begin on Wednesday.
Central Park West from West 72nd to 86th streets will be closed starting at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, and will remain shut off through noon on Thursday.
West 72nd through 85th streets from Central Park West to Columbus will also be closed from 12 a.m. on Wednesday through an unspecified time on Thursday. Additionally, the 79th Street Transverse in Central Park will be closed from 2 a.m. on Wednesday through noon on Thursday.
What Else to Know
You do not need a ticket and it is free to attend the Inflation Event.
There are a variety of items prohibited from the Inflation-Event viewing area, including umbrellas, backpacks, large bags, chairs, alcohol, drones, and e-cigarettes.
The closest subway station to the entrance point is the B and C stop at 72nd Street and Central Park West.
The event will take place rain or shine.
You can find out more about the Inflation Event — HERE.
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