Photo by Jake Sigal.
The balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade get inflated on the streets around the Museum of Natural History, and the public can view it all from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Wednesday. Entrance to the viewing area is at 79th and Columbus and the route winds around the museum. It can get packed, so consider getting there early.
Mommy Poppins has a special insider’s trick to beating the lines: “The most foolproof way to beat the crowds is to visit the Museum of Natural History prior to the start of the balloon inflation. The museum is open until 5:45pm on Thanksgiving Eve and you can exit right onto the loop.”
Or you can enjoy the scene while supporting a local school: PS 334 is hosting a carnival during the inflation. As one parent explained:
“Our school is hosting a Macy’s Parade Balloon Inflation Carnival on November 23rd that is open to the public from 4pm to 8:30 pm. The carnival will be held in our schoolyard (77th and Amsterdam) and will include games, a bouncy house, concessions and a nationally renowned spiral potato food artisan. All proceeds from the carnival go towards teacher’s salaries and school supplies.”
FYI – PS 334 a/k/a The Anderson School
I don’t think the fundraiser money can go to DOE teacher salaries. Perhaps to Assistant Teachers, enrichment and support teachers, since the DOE gives the bare minimum per pupil allotment to these schools.
What a great idea for a fundraiser! I’m definitely going to bring my kids there!!!
A few years ago, our family booked rooms at the Excelsior Hotel. No one could go onto 81st unless they could show a room key. We had the street pretty much to ourselves. Very cool.
These 2 monsters are PREDATORS. They need to be STOPPED.