Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2012

More than 3 million people -- and 50 million viewers -- watched the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2012. The Hello Kitty Balloon makes it's way down New York's Central Park West in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov. 22, 2012.

The Hello Kitty balloon makes its way along Central Park West way during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2012 in New York City. Macy's donated tickets and transportation to this year's Thanksgiving Day Parade to 5,000 people from neighborhoods hardest hit by superstorm Sandy.

The Tom Turkey float makes its way through the streets of Manhattan during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2012 in New York.

The first ever Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Float with members of the band Neon Trees attend the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2012 in New York.

Nickelodeon star and Columbia recording artist Rachel Crow (left) and Dora the Explorer attend the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nove. 22, 2012 in New York.

The Sailor Mickey balloon floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Nov. 22, 2012. The American harvest holiday came as portions of the Northeast were still coping with the wake of Superstorm Sandy, and volunteers planned to serve thousands of turkey dinners to people it left homeless or struggling.

The Sailor Mickey balloon floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, on Nov. 22, 2012. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade put a festive mood in the air in a city still coping with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

The Kung Fu Panda balloon (right) participates in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov. 22, 2012, in New York.

The Kung Fu Panda balloon makes its way down the streets of Manhattan during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 22, 2012 in New York City.

Costumed characters and a marching band precede the Kermit The Frog balloon on New York's Central Park West during the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov 22. 2012.

The Kermit The Frog balloon makes its way down New York's Central Park West in celebration of the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov 22. 2012.

Dancers fill the street as the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade moves down New York's Central Park West, on Nov 22, 2012.

A zebra costumed marcher is followed by the Curious George balloon on its way down New York's Central Park West in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov 22, 2012.

Mounted police lead a policeman balloon as it makes its way down New York's Central Park West in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov 22, 2012.

The Charlie Brown balloon makes its way down Central Park West during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 22, 2012 in New York.

The Charlie Brown balloon passes people on balconies on New York's Central Park West during the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov 22, 2012.

The Spider-man balloon participates in the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov. 22, 2012, in New York. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade put a festive mood in the air in a city still coping with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

The Spiderman balloon makes its way down Sixth Avenue during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Macy's donated tickets and transportation to this year's Thanksgiving Day Parade to 5,000 people from neighborhoods hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy.

Reagon Long, 3, from Oxford, N.Y, background center, watches the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday Nov. 22, 2012, in New York. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade put a festive mood in the air in a city still coping with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy. ()

Spectators line the sidewalk as balloons and bands make their way down New York's Central Park West in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on Nov 22, 2012.

Costumed parade participants march in the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday Nov. 22, 2012, in New York. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade put a festive mood in the air in a city still coping with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

A general view of the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2012 in New York.

The Santa Claus float rounds Columbus Circle during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2012, in New York. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade put a festive mood in the air in a city still coping with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

The Sonic the Hedgehog balloon floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, on Nov. 22, 2012. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade put a festive mood in the air in a city still coping with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

CBS News 24/7