NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� The debut of a giant 鈥淏luey鈥� balloon, Lea Michele and the Broadway cast of 鈥淔unny Girl鈥� and the legendary Dionne Warwick are some of the highlights slated for this year's .
This year鈥檚 parade 鈥� the 96th annual 鈥� will feature 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups and, of course, Santa Claus.
New balloon giants joining the line-up on Nov. 24 include Stuart the one-eyed Minion from 鈥淒espicable Me 2,鈥� a new green dinosaur, an Apatosaurus, the debut of the animated sensation 鈥淏luey,鈥� and a new 鈥淒iary of a Wimpy Kid鈥� balloon.
Other celebrities slated to be on hand include Paula Abdul, making her parade debut; Fitz and the Tantrums; Big Time Rush; 鈥淏lue鈥檚 Clues & You!鈥� host Josh Dela Cruz; Gloria Estefan along with her daughter, Emily, and grandson, Sasha; Kirk Franklin; Mario Lopez; Ziggy Marley; and Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles.
The singers Joss Stone, Jordin Sparks and Betty Who will all be part of the festivities as will the stars of Peacock鈥檚 鈥淧itch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin鈥� 鈥� Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg. Jimmy Fallon & The Roots will be on a float celebrating Central Park.
鈥淭his November, as we once again set the stage for the start of the holiday season, we are thrilled to showcase another spectacle full of magic and wonder that will help create everlasting memories with loved ones during this special time of year,鈥� Will Coss, the parade鈥檚 executive producer, said in a statement.
Viewers nationwide can see the parade live on NBC and streaming on Peacock on Nov. 24.
In addition to 鈥淔unny Girl,鈥� Broadway will be represented by the casts of 鈥淎 Beautiful Noise,鈥� 鈥淪ome Like It Hot," 鈥漈he Lion King," which is celebrating its 25th year on Broadway. The Radio City Rockettes will also march. This will be Warwick鈥檚 third parade; she also appeared in 1967 and 1984.
Returning giant balloons include 鈥淎da Twist, Scientist,鈥� 鈥淭he Boss Baby,鈥� Chase from 鈥淧aw Patrol," the Pillsbury Doughboy, Red Titan from 鈥淩yan鈥檚 World,鈥� Ronald McDonald, Papa Smurf from 鈥漈he Smurfs," 鈥淪pongeBob SquarePants鈥� and Pikachu and Eevee.
The Macy鈥檚 parade has been a traditional holiday season kickoff and spectators often line up a half-dozen deep along the route to cheer the marchers, floats, entertainers and marching bands.
Marching bands this year will represent South Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, California, New York, South Dakota, Florida, Missouri, Texas and Veracruz, Mexico.
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Mark Kennedy is at
Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press
