Written by Staff Writer
CNN
(CNN) — As the balloons go, there have been some pretty spectacular ones. That’s part of the reason the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been one of the biggest events on American television since 1931.
This year’s parade is expected to bring 11 balloons, including Felix the Cat, Spider-Man and Paddington Bear.
The parade will begin on 7th Avenue in Manhattan at 8 a.m. EST. While some streets will be closed ahead of the day’s festivities, most will be open by the time the balloons are released.
The parade begins at 86th Street, next to the West Side Highway. That will lead to the westbound opening of Seventh Avenue at 43rd Street, followed by a direct left on 42nd Street and, once the westbound balloons pass, the eastbound balloons will go right to the 7th Avenue section of Manhattan.
There have been 34 incidents involving the balloons in 63 years. The only incident that resulted in a death was when 20-year-old Dara Cobb of Seattle died in a 2003 fireworks accident that resulted in the release of a firework cannon on one of the balloons.
According to the parade’s website, nine balloons have been damaged during the show, and three have been destroyed by falling objects.