CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Turkeys are being bought, stuffing is being prepared and families are gathering. Yes, Thanksgiving is upon us.

When your family gets together this Thursday, turn the TV to NBC and take in the visual treat of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which airs from 9 a.m. to noon. 

The Macy's parade has brought thrills to young and old alike for generations. People flock to New York City from across the globe every year to witness the parade's countless celebrity guests, stunning musical numbers and the trademark helium balloons. Millions more watch from home.

But where did this staple of American holiday spirit come from?

The parade dates back to 1924 when first-generation immigrants were employed by Macy's in New York City. Wanting to show their appreciation for their new country, store workers created the parade themselves, hiring professional bands, balloonists and live animals to march with them down Broadway to 34th Street, where the Macy's store is. The parade lured a quarter of a million spectators to the city, prompting Macy's to declare it a yearly event.

The parade was originally called the Macy's Christmas Parade, but the title was changed because of the fact that it was continually held on Thanksgiving. Santa Claus closed the original parade, arriving via sleigh and reindeer, and the tradition has continued through today.

Radio broadcasts of the parade on New York stations began in 1932 and continued until 1941. During the World War II years, the parade was postponed because of the need for helium and rubber in the war. It returned in 1945.

In 1947, the parade was prominently featured in "Miracle on 34th Street," and in 1948, it first aired on TV. Now, more than 44 million viewers tune in annually to the live broadcast, which has been on NBC since 1955 and in color since 1960.

The giant helium balloons that are such a big part of today's parade were first introduced in 1927. The first Mickey Mouse balloon debuted in 1934. Notable past balloons are Eddie Cantor in 1940, the only human ever represented, and Popeye's sweetheart, Olive Oyl, in 1982, the first female ever depicted. 

The balloons are filled with helium the day before the parade around the American Museum of Natural History. Rehearsals for the parade lineup -- minus the balloons -- are held that night.

When the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off this year, there will be several changes, including a new route down Seventh Avenue, which gives spectators and the parade itself more room. There will also be new versions of popular balloons like Mickey Mouse (fourth version), Ronald McDonald (third) and Spider-Man (second) and a new version, the third, of Santa's sleigh.

Performers include Tiffany Thornton (of Disney Channel's "Sonny with a Chance") and Kermit the Frog, Jay Leno, Carly Simon, Keke Palmer (of Nickelodeon's "True Jackson, VIP") and the casts of "Billy Elliot," "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Hair" and "Shrek." Morgantown High School is among the performing bands. As usual, The Rockettes will make a human gate to welcome the parade and perform the finale.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Turkeys are being bought, stuffing is being prepared and families are gathering. Yes, Thanksgiving is upon us.

When your family gets together this Thursday, turn the TV to NBC and take in the visual treat of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which airs from 9 a.m. to noon. 

The Macy's parade has brought thrills to young and old alike for generations. People flock to New York City from across the globe every year to witness the parade's countless celebrity guests, stunning musical numbers and the trademark helium balloons. Millions more watch from home.

But where did this staple of American holiday spirit come from?

The parade dates back to 1924 when first-generation immigrants were employed by Macy's in New York City. Wanting to show their appreciation for their new country, store workers created the parade themselves, hiring professional bands, balloonists and live animals to march with them down Broadway to 34th Street, where the Macy's store is. The parade lured a quarter of a million spectators to the city, prompting Macy's to declare it a yearly event.

The parade was originally called the Macy's Christmas Parade, but the title was changed because of the fact that it was continually held on Thanksgiving. Santa Claus closed the original parade, arriving via sleigh and reindeer, and the tradition has continued through today.

Radio broadcasts of the parade on New York stations began in 1932 and continued until 1941. During the World War II years, the parade was postponed because of the need for helium and rubber in the war. It returned in 1945.

In 1947, the parade was prominently featured in "Miracle on 34th Street," and in 1948, it first aired on TV. Now, more than 44 million viewers tune in annually to the live broadcast, which has been on NBC since 1955 and in color since 1960.

The giant helium balloons that are such a big part of today's parade were first introduced in 1927. The first Mickey Mouse balloon debuted in 1934. Notable past balloons are Eddie Cantor in 1940, the only human ever represented, and Popeye's sweetheart, Olive Oyl, in 1982, the first female ever depicted. 

The balloons are filled with helium the day before the parade around the American Museum of Natural History. Rehearsals for the parade lineup -- minus the balloons -- are held that night.

When the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off this year, there will be several changes, including a new route down Seventh Avenue, which gives spectators and the parade itself more room. There will also be new versions of popular balloons like Mickey Mouse (fourth version), Ronald McDonald (third) and Spider-Man (second) and a new version, the third, of Santa's sleigh.

Performers include Tiffany Thornton (of Disney Channel's "Sonny with a Chance") and Kermit the Frog, Jay Leno, Carly Simon, Keke Palmer (of Nickelodeon's "True Jackson, VIP") and the casts of "Billy Elliot," "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Hair" and "Shrek." Morgantown High School is among the performing bands. As usual, The Rockettes will make a human gate to welcome the parade and perform the finale.