Macy's Parade turns 100: Everything you need to know about the event

The country is celebrating Thanksgiving and the parade in New York organized by renowned department store Macy's, which will commemorate its 100th anniversary.

The parade began on Nov. 27, 1924, and at the time was called the Macy's Christmas Parade. The goal of taking to the streets of New York City was to promote sales and kick off Christmas.

But the parade began in a very different way from how it is known today. The first route contained zoo animals, floats based on children's songs and marching bands. More than 250,000 people attended the inaugural parade, according to ILoveNY.

In 1927, the event was renamed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. For the first time, animal-shaped balloons paraded through the streets of New York with the parade, replacing the zoo animals. The balloons were only filled with air, so they were held up with rods.

In 1928, helium was used for the first time to inflate the balloons during the parade. At the end of the event, following tradition, the balloons were allowed to rise and float. As part of Macy's promotional campaign that year, and until 1932, those who found a balloon when it returned to Earth could redeem it for a prize.

During World War II, the parade was suspended due to a lack of helium and rubber. In 1947, it became much better known for its appearance in the film "Miracle on 34th Street." In 1948, the event was first broadcast on television.

In 2024, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off in the morning in New York City with steady rain that added ponchos and umbrellas to the lineup of balloons and floats.

Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo are among those who will participate, following a performance by iconic Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue.

The event airs live on NBC and Peacock from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There will be an additional performance at 12 p.m.

The 2024 parade in photos: