Here Are the New Floats in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, According to Exec

“Having the opportunity to bring a little spectacle” to viewers on Thanksgiving morning “is something we love,” executive producer Will Coss tells PEOPLE

The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is just around the corner — and this year we’re going to see some very exciting new floats!

Four new boats will debut in this year’s parade, which begins 30 minutes earlier than usual at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Among the new additions are a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem float from Nickelodeon and Paramount, which executive producer Will Coss says will feature “live action heroes.”

“The Turtles will be climbing the building in hot pursuit of Bebop and Rocksteady,” Coss tells PEOPLE. As if that weren’t exciting enough, the cruise will feature the award-winning R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe, according to a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem floats for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Eugene Gologursky/Getty/Macy’s, Inc

Also debuting this year The deliciously sweet world of Wonka from Warner Bros. Pictures, which Coss says will bring a scene from the upcoming film Wonkastarring Timothée Chalamet.

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“That first Wonka store was actually recreated by our team here, right down to the window display,” adds Coss, who describes the scene as “beautiful and ornate.”

The float will even include a 20-foot chocolate cherry tree.

Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka float for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Eugene Gologursky/Getty/Macy’s, Inc

Additionally, two other floats — the Palace of sweets to sail Brach’s i Burning memories by Solo Stove — will make its first appearance at Thursday’s event. Coss says the Solo Stove float will feature some “nature elements,” including a cozy campfire scene, that “tells a really specific story.”

“This is the first time we’ve been able to tie a vehicle towing a float to the float itself, so we’re excited about that as well,” he tells PEOPLE.

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Solo Stove’s Igniting Memories floats for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Eugene Gologursky/Getty/ Macy’s, Inc

A total of 5,000 volunteers will participate in this year’s parade, which will include 26 different floats. The event will also feature 16 featured character balloons, 32 heritage and novelty balloons, 12 marching bands, nine performing groups and “the one and only Santa”.

“One of, one of my favorite parts of the parade is the step,” Coss tells PEOPLE. “There’s nothing like that moment, that ‘5-4-3-2-1, let’s have a parade!’ The confetti, the excitement. New York just comes alive.”

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Dozens of people work to develop the concepts and designs for the parade each year, Coss tells PEOPLE. And when one parade ends, the planning process for the next begins.

“The day after the parade, we have a moment to relax, appreciate the work, figure out what worked and what didn’t,” says Coss. “So there’s not much time to rest between parades.”

Brach’s Palace of Sweets Float for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Eugene Gologursky/Getty/Macy’s, Inc

One of the most special moments of the process, Coss adds, is seeing the joy and happiness the parade brings to thousands of people.

“Having the opportunity to bring a little spectacle, to bring a little love, to bring a little creativity to everybody on Thanksgiving morning is something we love.”

The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education