
The NYPD put on an unprecedented show of force with 3,000 officers deployed to protect the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from attack as millions of spectators lined the route to watch the spectacle.

Charlie Brown, one of three new giant character inflatables in this year's parade, led the signature balloons as the parade kicked off on Thursday morning with the spraying of confetti and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

Costumes characters mingled with revelries and crowds cheered as clowns on bicycles rode by carrying bundles of balloons.

Officials expected 3.5million people to converge for the nationally televised ritual that traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season with giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters, including Thomas the Tank Engine and SpongeBob SquarePants. Another 50million watch the celebration from home.

Crowds, some as many as ten deep, lined the 2.5-mile parade route, which starts on Manhattan's Upper West Side and makes its way down to Macy's flagship store on 34th Street.

But attendees also saw some somber sights, like the 82 trucks from the Sanitation Department filled with sand that were placed at intersections and other places as barriers against any kind of attack.

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Charlie Brown, one of three new giant character inflatables in this year's parade, led the signature balloons in the parade

Scrat, the squirrel from the Ice Age movie franchise, is pictured left, and right, The Elf on the Shelf balloon in the parade

The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees perform with the Spongebob Squarepants float during the Thanksgiving Day parade

A balloon of Eruptor, a lava monster in the Skylanders video games, is pictured during the parade along Central Par

The NYPD is putting on an unprecedented show of force with 3,000 officers deployed to protect the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from attack

An NYC Department of Sanitation truck filled with sand blocks the street at Central Park South as people gather for the event

Police used sand-filled trucks, radiation detectors, bomb-sniffing dogs and heavily armed officers on Thursday to defend the parade, which ISIS has called an 'excellent target.'

There was a heavy police presence, with officers in uniform carrying assault weapons and portable radiation detectors. Officers in plainclothes were also among the crowds of people.

Authorities said there is no confirmation of any credible threat and urged spectators to come out for the parade.

But ISIS has encouraged readers of its online magazine Rumiyah to use motor vehicles to kill and injure people, similar to the way a Tunisian-born assailant killed more than 80 people at a Bastille Day celebration in Nice, France.

ISIS, which controls swathes of Iraq and Syria and seeks to inspire attacks by others abroad, claimed responsibility for the July 14 attack in Nice.

As a result, the NYPD stepped up security levels from last year, when 2,500 officers were stationed along the route, and placed all its counter-terrorism officers on duty.

The sand trucks used on Thursday weigh 16 tons (14.5 metric tonnes) and twice that when filled with sand, making them difficult to move even if rammed by large vehicles.

The Charlie Brown balloon is seen making its way down the Thanksgiving Day Parade route while police are seen on duty

People use a security dump truck as a viewing stand during the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Macy's Elf balloons float above a Christmas float on 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

A Santa Claus makes its way down 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan

A Happy Dragon novelty balloon is pictured making its way down the 2.5mile-long Thanksgiving Day Parade route

Charlie Brown, one of three new giant inflatables in this year's parade, l led the signature balloons as the parade kicked off

Charlie Brown (right) floats above Central Park West and Felix the Cat (left), which was the parade's first character balloon

Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond from the animated film Trolls fly down the parade route. Brand new this year, each Troll is more than two stories tall with 12 to 14 feet of hair

Scrat from 'Ice Age' balloon, which is as high as a four-story building and as wide as six taxi cabs, floats above 6th Avenue

An Angry Bird float makes its way down 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Charlie Brown balloon (left) made its debut this year, but returning favorites included Thomas the Tank Engine (right)

A marching band makes its way down 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan

The Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger (pictured above) balloon is five stories tall and requires 90 handlers

Returning favorites include Ronald McDonald (above) pictured moving along Central Park West on Thursday morning

A balloon of Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which is as high as a five-story building, floats along the parade route

The Paddington Bear balloon was a returning balloon in this year's parade and required 90 handlers to control

A Pikachu balloon makes its way down 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday morning

A Hello Kitty float, which is as high as a three story building, makes its way down 6th Avenue during the parade

A character with balloons marches in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade amid a heavy police presence in Manhattan

THANKSGIVING DAY BY THE NUMBERS The NYPD's marching band in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade consisted of 50 members of the force, led this year by Lt. Tony Giorgio. The parade also feature 1,000 clowns - including costumed jesters from the Funny Fire Brigade and the Keystone Cop Clowns. The average American will consume 3,000 calories on Thanksgiving Day - for just dinner. With drinks, dessert and appetizers, the total calorie count could be as much as 4,500, the Calorie Control Council says. The National Turkey Foundation estimates that 46million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving - and 22 per cent of them come from Minnesota. But many Americans prefer mashed potatoes, with 31 per cent saying its their favorite side dish during the holiday in a 2013 survey. Thanksgiving is always a chaotic travel period, but this year is set to be the busiest in almost a decade. The American Automobile Association forecast that 48.7million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles between Wednesday and Sunday, the most since 2007. Advertisement

Security at the parade was also bolstered during the one that came two months after the September 11 attacks.

Although exact figures were not given, authorities said the police presence was 10 to 15 per cent higher than in the past, according to a 2001 report in the New York Times.

'We are aware of some of the reports that have been out there, but I want to assure all New Yorkers there's no credible and specific information of any specific threat directed toward this parade,' New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference on Wednesday.

De Blasio estimated that 250,000 people came out on Wednesday to watch the giant balloons being inflated.

Spectators take pictures as a float carrying Santa Clause goes by during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York

Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and his elves waves from his float as he passes along Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Parade

Crowds, sometimes ten people deep, lined Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York

Tony Bennett waves from a float during the Parade. The singer almost tumbled from the float but was saved by Miss Piggy

Spectators watch from behind New York Police vehicles as Santa Claus passes by along Sixth Avenue during the parade

New York City police officers join spectators taking pictures as a float carrying Santa Claus passes by during the parade

People crowd a New York City Police cruiser to get a photograph of Santa Claus during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

Clowns dressed in pajamas and carrying teddy bears wander down the parade route ahead of the Spongebob float

Spectators are seen settled in with blankets to keep warm behind the security barriers while an NYPD dog goes by

People watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade near Sixth Avenue in Manhattan on Thursday morning

Spectators watch from behind New York Police vehicles as Santa Claus passes by along Sixth Avenue

A New York police officer greets a young spectator in the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday

SpongeBob SquarePants' Balloon floats behind a crowd of clowns during Macy's 90th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade

Officials said they expected 3.5million spectators to line the parade route while another 50million watched from home

People react to a float carrying Santa Clause during the nationally televised Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday

Spectators lean over a barrier as a marching band approaches along Central Park South during the Thanksgiving Day parade

The SpongeBob Square Pants balloon moves down Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Officers carrying assault rifles and bomb-sniffing dogs lined the parade route, along with plainclothes officers in the crowd

The Ronald McDonald balloon makes its way across Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

people watch from balconies along Central Park South as the Pillsbury Doughboy balloon floats by during the parade

Cheerleaders make their way across Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in New York, on Thursday

People watch from their windows as the NYPD balloon floats during Macy's 90th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade

A balloon inspired by the Elf on the Shelf, a character from the beloved children's book, floats among the city's skyscrapers

The Skylanders Eruptor balloon floats above Central Park South in the parade with its 90 handles seen below

Dressed as a candy cane, Ellie Steingraeber, left, talks with Maelya Kakou, three, in pink jacket, and her mother Maeva Lefebvre during the parade. Right, a balloon of popular Pokemon Pikachu

The popular SpongeBob SqaurePants' balloon, which needs 90 handlers, is seen moving down the parade route

The Power Ranger's balloon made another appearance during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year

A child watches the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as a float featuring Mr Peanut passes down the street

Costumes characters mingled with revelries and crowds cheered as clowns on bicycles rode by carrying bundles of balloons

Members of the Hendrickson High School band from Pflugerville, Texas, march on Central Park West during the parade

Cheerleaders from Spirit of America perform along the parade route near Central Park in Manhattan on Thursday

Spectators, all wrapped up warm for the parade. smile as floats pass during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Ronald McDonald's balloon floats during Macy's 90th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

The annual parade, which began in 1924, features giant balloons of characters from popular culture floating above the streets

'The NYPD is ready,' de Blasio said. Police have been preparing 'literally since the end of last year's parade,' he added.

This year, police banned vehicle traffic from crossing the parade route, unlike in past years when a few cross streets were open, requiring the trucks and 114 smaller blocker cars.

'We get paid to keep people safe and we'll keep people safe tomorrow,' Police Commissioner James O'Neill said.

Among the celebrities in attendance were Tony Bennett, Aloe Blacc, Sarah McLachlan and Olympic gold medalists Laurie Hernandez, Claressa Shields and Michelle Carter.

The opening number included Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other Muppets.

Miss Piggy proved to be the heroine of the day when she caught Bennett before the legendary singer nearly tumbled from a float after the pair wrapped up a duet of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town.'

Another winner from the parade was Mr Peanut, who 'dabbed' - where the dancer simultaneously drops the head while raising an arm and the elbow - from atop his float during his ride through the city.

Spirit of America dance stars make their way down 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The red Power Ranger float makes its way down 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

People inside buildings on 6th Avenue watch the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from indoors on Thursday

Sarah McLachlan is pictured with Al Roker (left) and Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez (right) at the parade

A marching band leads the Thanksgiving Day Parade ahead of Tom Turkey and the new Charlie Brown balloon

Trixie the Dog is seen floating along the parade route led by cheerleaders from Spirit of America Cheer

The Tough Guy and Bulldog Trycaloon, two of this year's balloonicles, are seen making their way along the parade route

Thousands of police officers lined the parade route during the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

But one prominent person who wasn't in his hometown for the parade is Donald Trump, who is spending the holiday at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

Police also used the sand trucks to protect nearby Trump Tower, the President-elect's home and campaign headquarters.

The parade draws millions of spectators every year as it makes its way through the streets of Manhattan before finishing up at Macy's flagship store.

The event, which began at 9am EST, started in Central Park and ran down Sixth Avenue, one block from Fifth Avenue where Trump Tower is located, and ended near the Macy's department store on 34th Street.

There is a heavy police presence, with officers in uniform with assault weapons and portable radiation detectors

Officers in plainclothes will be among the crowds while some officers in uniform will be accompanied by bomb-sniffing dogs

Some spectators are seen holding up signs protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline as a clown skates by

People gathered along the 2.5mile parade route to protest the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline with signs and banners

The New York Fire Department take part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday morning

Police officers in a marching band take part in the parade with a balloon of Harold the Policeman pictured floating behind

Young girls participating in the Thanksgiving Day Parade are pictured in their costumes during the annual spectacular

Members of a marching band greet other participants as they await the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

People in colorful costumes pose as they arrive to take part during the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Performers are seen skating along Central Park South before the start of the beloved parade on Thursday morning

A dancer with the Chengdu (China) Panda float is assisted by a fellow dancer before the start of the Thanksgiving Day Parade

Participants line up on Central Park West before the start of the popular Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Thursday

A BELOVED TRADITION: A HISTORY OF MACY'S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE For nine decades, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has signaled the official start of the holiday season. Every year, the tradition is witnessed by millions in person as well as more than 50million people at home, who tune in to witness the spectacle of the giant balloons and one-of-a-kind floats as well as a number of incredible performances. In 1924, the beloved tradition was started by Macy's employees and was known as the as Macy's Christmas Parade - and even featured animals from Central Park Zoo. It was branded such a success that the store announced it would become an annual event. The iconic giant balloons debuted to great fanfare in 1927 - with Felix the Cat as the first ever character balloon. Between 1942 and 1944, World War Two brought the parade to a halt for the first time in its history. Rubber and helium shortages meant the balloons were deflated and donated to the government. The parade starting line moved to 77th Street and Central Park West in 1946, drawing in a record-breaking two million spectators that year. It was also televised locally for the first time that year and nationally the year after. The spirit of the small group of employees in 1924 has led to the parade becoming the most spectacular holiday celebration in the world, requiring the help of more than 8,000 volunteers every year. The beloved Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (above, in 1931) was started by Macy's employees in 1924 Advertisement

The parade starts at Central Park West and makes its way through the streets of Manhattan before finishing up at Macy's flagship store in Herald Square

A balloon of Ronald McDonald is seen inflated and ready for the start of the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Some NYPD officers pose for a picture in front of a parade balloon ahead of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade