Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New York Webcam Feed for Times Square Live New Years Eve Fireworks Display

Times Square is the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. On December 31, 1907, a ball signifying New Year's Day was first dropped at Times Square, and the Square has held the main New Year's celebration in New York City ever since.

This live feed is in Times Square for the New Year's Eve festivities:

Times Square New Years Eve Live

Event Information:

On that night, hundreds of thousands of people congregate to watch the Waterford Crystal ball being lowered on a pole atop the building (though not to the street, as is a common misconception), marking the new year. It replaced a lavish fireworks display from the top of the building that was held from 1904 to 1906, only to be outlawed by city officials. Beginning in 1908, and for more than eighty years thereafter, Times Square sign maker Artkraft Strauss was responsible for the ball-lowering. During World War II, a minute of silence, followed by a recording of church bells pealing, replaced the ball drop because of wartime blackout restrictions. Today, Countdown Entertainment and One Times Square handle the New Year's Eve event in conjunction with the Times Square Alliance.

A new energy-efficient LED ball, celebrating the centennial of the ball drop, debuted for the arrival of 2008. The 2008/2009-ball, which was dropped on New Year's Eve (Wednesday, December 31, 2008) for the arrival of 2009, is larger and has become a permanent installation as a year-round attraction, being used for celebrations such as Valentine's Day and Halloween. On average, about 1 million revelers crowd Times Square for the New Year's Eve celebrations. However, for the millennium celebration on December 31, 1999, published reports stated approximately two million people overflowed Times Square, flowing from 6th Avenue to 8th Avenue and all the way back on Broadway and Seventh Avenues to 59th Street, making it the largest gathering in Times Square since August 1945 during celebrations marking the end of World War II.

Edinburgh Hogmanay Webcam Feed for Live New Years Eve Fireworks Display

Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year (Gregorian calendar) in the Scottish manner. It is, however, normally only the start of a celebration which lasts through the night until the morning of New Year's Day (1 January)

This live feed is in Edinburgh for this year's Hogmanay party and fireworks:

Edinburgh Hogmanay Live Feed

Event Information:

There are many customs, both national and local, associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread national custom is the practice of 'first-footing' which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and often involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as salt (less common today), coal, shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a rich fruit cake) intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder. Food and drink (as the gifts) are then given to the guests. This may go on throughout the early hours of the morning and well into the next day (although modern days see people visiting houses well into January). The first-foot is supposed to set the luck for the rest of the year. Traditionally, tall dark men are preferred as the first-foot.

The Hogmanay custom of singing "Auld Lang Syne" has become common in many countries. "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional poem reinterpreted by Robert Burns, which was later set to music. It is now common for this to be sung in a circle of linked arms that are crossed over one another as the clock strikes midnight for New Year's Day, although it is only intended that participants link arms at the beginning of the final verse, coordinating with the lines of the song which contain the lyrics to do so. Typically it is only in Scotland this practice is carried out correctly.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Webcam Feed for Live New Years Eve Fireworks Display

The Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve Fireworks are held every New Year's Eve, over Sydney Harbour, centering on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They take place in two shows, one show at 9pm (the 9pm Family Fireworks) and one at midnight (the Midnight Fireworks). The fireworks show has become the most-watched New Years Eve fireworks display in the world.

This live feed is in Sydney for the New Year fireworks display:

Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks Live

Event Information:

The fireworks are regularly viewed by more than one million people, with the New Year's Eve 2007 - 2008 display being viewed by 1.5 million people. The display usually has a theme, with the 2009-2010 theme being "Awaken the Spirit". As of 2009-10,the television coverage will revert to the Nine Network and will be broadcast in two parts, matching the two displays.

Prior to the 1999–2000 show, the major display was held at 9pm (the current time of the Family Fireworks display) and a small display was held at midnight. Since 2000 the display has been designed and created by "Foti International Fireworks". The 9pm display since then is usually smaller and mainly shows fireworks on a few of the river barges. In the midnight display, the bridge, city buildings and all barges are actively involved and this display usually runs for twelve to fifteen minutes, with a few exceptions, including the Millennium Celebrations.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2010 Live Webcam

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (sometimes referred to as the 'Bluewater Classic' in the Australian media) is hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, starting in Sydney, Australia on Boxing Day and finishing in Hobart.

This live feed is in Hobart for the finish of the race:

Hobart webcam

Event Information:
The race distance is approximately 630 nautical miles (1,170 km). The race is run in co-operation with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, and is widely considered to be one of the most difficult yacht races in the world.

The race was initially planned to be a cruise by Peter Luke and some friends who had formed a club for those who enjoyed cruising as opposed to racing, however when a visiting British Royal Navy Officer, Captain John Illingworth, suggested it be made a race, the event was born. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has grown over the decades, since the inaugural race in 1945, to become one of the top three offshore yacht races in the world and it now attracts maxi yachts from all around the globe. The 2004 race marked the 60th running of the event. The current race record was set in 2005 by Wild Oats XI, which crossed the line in a time of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds.

The longest surviving skipper from the inaugural race, Peter Luke, who contributed to the formation of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the establishment of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, died on 23 September 2007 aged 92, the last of the original sailors who pioneered this event. His yacht, Wayfarer, still holds the record for the slowest elapsed time.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Heathrow Airport Webcam Feed and Weather

Widespread disruption is continuing to be caused today by the almost complete closure of London's busy Heathrow airport due to the continuing arctic weather conditions.

This live webcam is at Heathrow monitoring the ongoing problems:

Heathrow Airport Webcam

Thousands of travellers have been stranded at Heathrow airport overnight. There will be no flight arrivals at Heathrow on Sunday and only a handful of departures.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons had been due to fly this weekend, according to travel association Abta, which estimated that four million people expected to go abroad.

Heathrow airport told the BBC that "a few thousand spent the night in the terminals" but said just four short-haul and three long-haul flights would leave on Sunday morning. It hoped to be operational on Monday.

Andrew Teacher, from Heathrow operator BAA, said it had invested more than £6m in the last year in technology to move snow and de-ice runways and that staff had been working through the night.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Honolulu Webcam for 2010 Marathon Live

The Honolulu Marathon is the world's sixth largest marathon. It takes place annually in Honolulu, Hawaii on the second Sunday in December. The race began in 1973.

This live feed is in Honolulu for the 2010 marathon:

Honolulu Marathon Live Feed

Event Information:

Starting near Ala Moana Beach Park across from Ala Moana Center, the course progresses west along the waterfront toward downtown Honolulu, then loops through downtown and bends back east through Waikiki, around Diamond Head, and out toward the eastern suburbs of Honolulu, winding through Hawaii Kai before doubling back toward the finish line at Waikiki's Kapiolani Park. Marathoners consider the course moderately difficult because of the tropical weather conditions, with temperatures starting at around 65°F (18°C) and rising to as high as 80°F (27°C), and a relatively hilly course compared with other marathons. Nevertheless, the race also remains a popular choice for first-time marathoners.

Although the difficulty of the course precludes world-record pace performances, winners of the Honolulu Marathon have used it as a stepping stone to greater achievements. For instance, three-time winner Ibrahim Hussein of Kenya later won the Boston Marathon three times; and 1993 winner Bong-Ju Lee won the silver medal in the 1996 Olympic Marathon in Atlanta.

Dallas Webcam for 2010 White Rock Marathon

The Dallas White Rock Marathon is a marathon that has taken place in December in Dallas, Texas since 1971. An official time from the Dallas White Rock Marathon can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

This live feed is in Dallas for the White Rock marathon:

Dallas White Rock Marathon Live Feed

Event Information:

The course is both hilly and flat involving running through downtown Dallas as well as the area surrounding White Rock Lake. In recent years, it has included the Mayor's 5K race, a five person relay, and a half-marathon in addition to the traditional marathon race. The main beneficiary of the race is Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Along with the Houston Marathon and the Austin Marathon, the Dallas White Rock Marathon forms the first leg of the Marathons of Texas, a series of winter marathons held approximately one month apart from each other from December through February in Texas.

The Mayor’s 5k Race and Fun Run will take place on the day before the marathon with a start and finish in Fair Park. These changes have been implemented to improve the overall experience at our event and build upon the reputation the White Rock Marathon has built up over the years.

Tucson Webcam Live at 2010 Holualoa Marathon

If you are looking for a fast, gradually-downhill marathon with no big crowd hemming you in, the Tucson Marathon is your race. This is primarily a downhill marathon. with some hills around mile 2 and mile 10.

This live feed is in Tucson for the marathon:

Tucson marathon live feed

Event Information:

Holualoa Tucson Marathon Starts at 7:30 A.M.
Damascus Bakeries Half-Marathon (First Wave) Starts at 7:00 A.M.
Marathon Relay Starts at 7:30 A.M.

If you are looking for a fast, gradually-downhill marathon with no big crowd hemming you in, the Tucson Marathon is your race. Enjoy beautiful Tucson winter weather with temperatures at the start averaging in the high 30s and reaching 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit by 11 a.m. This is primarily a downhill marathon. with some hills around mile 2 and mile 10. Come run your FIRST MARATHON or your FASTEST MARATHON. You'll drop almost 2,200 feet in elevation as you run on the mostly downhill, point-to-point course along the beautiful Santa Catalina mountain range. (There are some rolling hills and inclines between miles 2-5 and miles 10-13).

The Old West historical town of Oracle marks the starting line. The course winds through the desert on paved roads and finishes at the Coronado Middle School, just off of E. Wilds Road. Our runners continue to tell us it's one of the prettiest courses in the country and one of the easiest to run a personal best. Be sure to train your quadriceps as you'll be running downhill! Benefits local school sports programs and other selected youth groups.

Charlotte Webcam for 2010 Thunder Road Marathon

The Thunder Road Marathon is an annual marathon (42.195 km) (26.2 miles) which takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina, every December. It features a NASCAR theme in keeping with the region's close ties to auto racing.

This live feed is in Charlotte for the Thunder Road marathon:

Charlotte Marathon live feed

Event Information:

The event was started in 2005 after the demise of the Charlotte Observer Marathon. The race course, a loop which begins and ends in Uptown Charlotte, is certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifier.

In 2010 due to the increasing popularity of marathoning events nationwide, it was announced that entries would be capped at 3500. If you run the Dowd YMCA Run ½ Marathon and the Thunder Road Amica Insurance Half Marathon, you will receive a 26.2 medal in addition to the Thunder Road Amica Insurance Half Marathon medal when you cross the finish line on Saturday, December 11, 2010. A 39.3 medal and a Thunder Road Marathon medal will be given to you as you cross the Thunder Road Marathon finish line if you complete the Dowd YMCA Run Half Marathon and the Thunder Road Marathon. The Marathon course has a 6-hour time limit. Runners who cannot maintain a 13:45 per mile pace will be asked to leave the course for their own safety. Pit Stops will close and volunteers and police officers at intersections will not be available to participants who fall below the 13:45 per mile pace.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Mecca Live for Islamic New Year, Al Hijra in Saudi Arabia

The Islamic New Year is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year, and is the day on which the year count is incremented. The first day of the year is observed on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.

Al Hijra Live in Mecca

Since the Islamic year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian year, the Islamic new year does not come on the same day of the Gregorian calendar every year. While some Islamic organizations prefer determining the new month (and hence the new year) dates by local sighting of the moon, most Islamic institutions and countries, including Saudi Arabia, follow astronomical calculations to determine future dates of the Islamic calendar. The following dates on the Gregorian calendar correspond to the Islamic new year.

Al-Hijra / Muharram in 2010 will start on Tuesday, the 7th of December and will continue for 29 days until Tuesday, the 4th of January.

Note that in the Muslim calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Al-Hijra / Muharram on the sunset of Monday, the 6th of December.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Phuket Webcam Live at the Asia Pacific Ironman 2010

The Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship is set to become the centerpiece of Ironman 70.3 racing in the Asia Pacific region. Taking place in the resort of Laguna Phuket, on the tropical island of Phuket, Thailand, the event will provide a challenging course set along a picturesque tropical paradise.

This live feed is in Phuket for the 2010 Ironman triathlon:

Ironman Phuket Live Feed

Event Information:

The 17th Laguna Phuket Triathlon and the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship will bookend a unique endurance extravaganza later this year in Phuket, Thailand.

The Laguna Phuket race on November 28th will kick-off a ten-day calendar of related events that will reach boiling point on December 5th with the Ironman 70.3 Championship event. This combination of events will make the island of Phuket a mecca for triathlon devotees worldwide.

Situated on Thailand’s Andaman Sea coastline, Phuket is located almost 1,000 kilometres southwest of Bangkok. It has been luring international visitors for decades with its balmy tropical charm and character.

Laguna Phuket, a resort collection of seven deluxe hotel and villa properties on the northwest coast of the island, will host both the triathlon events. With its stunning location amid 1,000 acres of tropical lagoon-filled parkland on pristine Bang Tao beach, plus a wealth of recreational options from golf to island-hopping, Laguna Phuket is renowned worldwide as the finest destination resort in Asia.

Busselton Webcam at the 2010 WA Ironman, Busso

Ironman WA is getting ready to roll this weekend, and the start list reads like a who’s who of Australian iron distance racing. Foremost amongst these must be Sydneysider Pete Jacobs.

This live feed is in WA for the 2010 Ironman Triathlon:

Ironman WA Live Feed

Event Information:

Ironman WA is getting ready to roll this weekend, and the start list reads like a who’s who of Australian iron distance racing. Foremost amongst these must be Sydneysider Pete Jacobs. His reputation is that of the course’s strongest swimmer, but after setting the third-fastest marathon time ever on the Ford Ironman World Championship course in Hawaii last month at 2:41:05. many are now looking to see just how fast he can go at Busso.

Ironman Western Australia 2010 will start at the Busselton jetty on Sunday, December 5, at 5.30am. Professionals will enter the water first followed by age groupers and relay entrants from 5.45am. Race leaders will exit the water from 6.15am and proceed to the Signal Park transition area.

Zurich Webcam Live for the 2010 Christmas Market

At the traditional Christmas markets and in Zürich’s shops, both locals and visitors find inspiration for gifts and can treat themselves to delectable delicacies. The Christmas circuses are as much a part of the season as the New Year’s Eve Magic with its legendary fireworks display.

This live webcam is in Zurich for all the Christmas festivities:

Zurich Christmas Market Live

Market Information:

A unique shopping atmosphere can also be experienced at the five traditional Christmas markets. Zürich’s oldest Christmas market in the middle of the Old Town guarantees a romantic ambience and shopping bags bursting with Christmas gifts. The 160 quaintly decorated market stalls transform the immense hall at Zürich’s Main Railway Station into the “Zürich Christ Child Market,” and the centrally-located Christmas market in the heart of the city also offers a diverse range of toys, tasty Christmas goodies and trendy fashion accessories. The Christmas market at Werdmühleplatz square is legendary with its “Singing Christmas Tree.” Choirs of both children and adults take their place on the Christmas tree which towers above the houses, and spread festive cheer with their repertoire of Christmas carols. And at Bellevue this year, the Sechseläuten square will be transformed for the first time into a Christmas market with traditional and top-quality products offered at 15 market stands.

Panama City Beach Webcam Live for 2010 Redfish Run

Run For the Redfish is a certified course featuring a 1/2 marathon, 5k and kids 1 mile fun run benefits bringing awareness about our coastal redfish and it's habitat. This year's run will be held on December 4th, 2010 and starts and ends in beautiful Pier Park.

This live feed is at Panama City Beach for the event:

Run for the Redfish Live

Event Information:

On December 4, 2010 runners from across the Southeast will participate in the 2nd annual Run for the Redfish in Panama City Beach, Florida, a combined half marathon, 5k run and kids fun run will be held at Pier Park. A portion of the proceeds benefits bringing awareness about our coastal redfish and it's habitat. The run will begin at the Front Beach Road entrance to Pier Park and continue down Front Beach Road, looping back to end at Margaritaville.

Last year, over 600 racers participated and plans for 2010 are to take this signature event to the next level. We'd like to thank our sponsors and volunteers who support this race. We look forward to seeing everyone out on the course in December! The oil spill that flowed into the Gulf of Mexico put unprecedented strain on an already stressed marine ecosystem. While the responsible party, BP, is supposed to reimburse the affected fishermen and efforts have already begun to clean the coastline, little attention is being paid to the Gulf fisheries.

Las Vegas Webcam Live for the 2010 Rock n Roll Marathon

The Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is an annual marathon foot-race run in and around Las Vegas, Nevada. The race is one of the oldest marathons in the United States, having been run since 1967.

This live feed is in Vegas for the 2010 marathon:

Las Vegas Live feed

Event Information:

The marathon was organized by Al Boka since 1983, who sold the marathon in 2005 to Devine Racing, a Chicago-based race organization company that is responsible for several other races, including the Los Angeles Marathon. Zappos.com will be the title sponsor for this event through 2009.

Devine redubbed the race as "The Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon", and updated the course to include the Strip. Introduced on December 4 2005, the new course marks one of the rare occasions that the Strip is closed to traffic. Prior to that, the course had run on the old Los Angeles Highway, beginning in the community of Jean, Nevada, and ending outside of the City of Las Vegas in the county's Sunset Park.

Additionally in 2005, the date of the marathon was changed from January to December to help ensure better weather.

Monday, November 29, 2010

York Webcam, Live at the Minster Cathedral

York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The Minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by a Dean and Chapter under the Dean of York.

This live webcam is at the Minster:


It has a very wide Decorated Gothic nave and chapter house, a Perpendicular Gothic choir and east end, and Early English north and south transepts. The nave contains the West Window, constructed in 1338, and over the Lady Chapel in the east end is the Great East Window, (finished in 1408), the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. In the north transept is the Five Sisters Window, each lancet being over 16 metres (52 ft) high. The south transept contains the famous Rose window.

In November 2002, York Minster was illuminated in colour, devised by York-born Mark Brayshaw, for the first time in its history. The occasion was televised live on the BBC1 Look North program. Similar illuminations have been projected over the Christmas period in subsequent years.

York Minster was also artistically illuminated on 5 November 2005, celebrating the 400th anniversary of the foiling of York-born Guy Fawkes' gunpowder plot. This was done by Patrice Warrener using his unique "chromolithe" technique with which he 'paints' with light, picking out sculpted architectural details

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Kona Web Cam Live, Ultraman Hawaii 2010

The Ultraman World Championship is a three-day, 320 mile (515-km) annual endurance race held on the Big Island of Hawaii. This event attracts athletes who seek to explore the extreme in physical and mental abilities.

This live feed is in Hawaii throughout the Ultraman Championship:

Ultraman 2010 Live

Event Information:

The race is divided into three stages: The first is a 6.2-mile (10-km) ocean swim from Kailua Bay to Keauhou Bay, followed by a 90-mile (145-km) cross-country bike ride, with vertical climbs that total 6,000 feet. Stage two is a 171.4-mile (276-km) bike ride from Volcanoes National Park to Kohala Village Inn, with total vertical climbs of 4,000 feet. Stage three is a 52.4-mile(84-km) double-marathon, which starts at Hawi and finishes on the beach at the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area. Each stage must be completed within 12 hours or less. The swim portion of stage one must be completed in 5.5 hours or less. Participants who do not reach the finish lines within the time limits are disqualified.

This event attracts athletes who seek to explore the extreme in physical and mental abilities. The race is limited to 35 athletes on an invitation-only basis and attracts participants from around the world, including Brazil, Canada, Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia and the United States. Racers must have reached their 20th birthday prior to the start of stage one. Each racer must be accompanied by an individual support team of at least two people over the entire course. Many support team members are volunteers from the Big Island community.

Detroit Webcam, Michigan Thanksgiving Parade 2010 Live Feed

America's Thanksgiving Parade, is an annual parade held on Thanksgiving Day in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The tradition started in the city in 1924 by the J.L. Hudson Company department store.

This live feed is in Detroit for the 2010 Thanksgiving Parade:

Detroit Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Live

It shares the title for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and is four years younger than the 6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.

Event Information:

The idea came from Hudson’s display director Charles Wendel after the success of the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade in Toronto. In addition to the usual floats and bands, Wendel obtained large papier-mâché heads similar to those he saw during a recent trip to Europe. The heads are made in Viareggio, Italy and remain a fixture of the parade to the present.

The parade was suspended in 1943 and 1944 due to material shortages caused by World War II, but Hudson’s resumed the event in 1945 and continued sponsorship of the parade until 1979 when the costs became burdensome. It turned the parade over to the Detroit Renaissance Foundation who produced it for four years. In 1983, Detroit Renaissance turned the parade over to the newly-created Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation and the event became known as The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade.

State Street Chicago Webcam - Thanksgiving Parade Live

The State Street Thanksgiving Parade, currently title sponsored by McDonald's and officially named the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade (see below), an annual parade produced and presented by the Chicago Festival Association (CFA) and is often known as “Chicago’s Grand Holiday Tradition.”

This live feed is in Chicago for the 2010 Thanksgiving Parade:

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Live

Event Information:

In 1934, the United States had been in the Great Depression for five years. Many leaders in Chicago searched for ways to boost the economy as well as public spirit. Walter Gregory, President of Chicago's State Street Council, proposed a Christmas parade to Chicago Mayor Edward Kelly in the hopes that it would improve the moods of Chicago residents. The Mayor agreed to the parade, being primarily interested in its potential to improve Chicago's economy.

Chicago's first Christmas Parade was on State Street on December 7, 1934. Gregory and a costumed Santa Claus led the caravan, which was filled with toys and various merchandise from State Street businesses. As the city's government officials had hoped, the parade contributed to desirable growth in the local economy and 1934 held the city's largest holiday buying period since 1927. This was both exciting and surprising for the entire city. Not only was it the Depression, but that day held dangerously low temperatures throughout the entire state. Some areas of Illinois were as low as fourteen degrees below zero (fahrenheit).

New York Thanksgiving Parade 2010 Live Web Cam Feed

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States.

This live feed is in New York City for the 2010 Thanksgiving Parade:

New York Thanksgiving Parade Live

Event Information:

In 1924, the inaugural parade (originally known as the Macy's Christmas Parade and later the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Christmas Parade.) was staged by the store. Employees and professional entertainers marched from 145th Street in Harlem to Macy's flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes. There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. At this first parade, however, the Jolly Old Elf was enthroned on the Macy's balcony at the 34th Street store entrance, where he was then "crowned" "King of the Kiddies." With an audience of over a quarter of a million people, the parade was such a success that Macy's declared it would become an annual event.

In addition to the well-known balloons and floats, the Parade also features live music and other performances. College and high school marching bands from across the country participate in the parade, and the television broadcasts feature performances by famous singers and bands. The Radio City Rockettes are a classic performance as well.

On the NBC telecast from in front of the flagship Macy's store on Broadway and 34th Street, the marching bands perform live music but most of the other live acts use pre-recorded music with the performers lip-syncing their singing.