Parade Spectators
"It was an explosion of color and a burst of sound that cut through the gray gloom of the day to brighten the hearts of children and adults alike."
Excerpt from New York Times article, 1967.[1]
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In 1924 the parade dazzled an audience of a quarter million spectators. It wasn’t long before the parade’s regular number of spectators grew to exceed one million. In 2005, the audience was projected to include 50 million television viewers in addition to the 2.5 million people lining the parade’s 2 mile route—from 77th and Central Park West down to Broadway and 34th. Spectators exploit every possible vantage point along the parade route: most go for front row seats—or as close as they can come to them in a crowd of people several-deep—on the shoulders of the parade route. Others, with access to them, perch themselves on rooftops or watch from the warmth behind office or apartments windows. Many children score the best seats of all, atop parents’ shoulders. |
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[References]
[1] Steven V. Roberts, "Shivering Parents Real Heroes of Macy's Parade," New York Times (1857-Current file) Nov 24, 1967, ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2002), 50.
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[Images]
Spectators: courtesy of <www.karlschatz.com/photoblog/archives/000008.shtm> (©2003 Karl Schatz)
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