'Saddest' Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as rain drives crowds away

Dozens of protesters attempting to block the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade were arrested as it kicked off with pouring rain and frigid temperatures driving away crowds.

At least 21 anti-Israel protesters were arrested after trying to disrupt the parade at W. 55th Street and Sixth Avenue, reported WABC.

For the second year in a row, they tried to rush in front of Ronald McDonald float and stop the parade. 

Crowds booed at the protesters wearing rain ponchos and holding Palestine flags as cops quickly swarmed them and moved them off the route.

An estimated 3 million people are expected to be in attendance at the annual holiday tradition that kicked off again today in New York City with a star-studded lineup of performances from the likes of Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel.

This year's parade features 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.

However, the annual holiday tradition started at 8:30 a.m. ET as a low pressure system moved through the area bringing wind, rain and plunging temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

Fox Weather forecasts up to an inch of rain with temperatures in the upper-40s and winds around 10 mph.

The parade airs on NBC with hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker and streams on the network's Peacock service.

Roker was seen interviewing miserable parade goers sitting on cold bleachers attempting to stay dry, as Guthrie and Kotb proved they can smile through the rain as the pair kicked off proceedings while hiding beneath a tent. 

On Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams called parade protesters 'grinches' and vowed to stop any disruptions.

'I really want to take the moment to tell those grinches that believe they are going to disrupt the parade that it is not going to happen,' Adams said.

'Just like how we responded last year, we are going to be on top of those who attempt to interrupt the parade in any way possible.'

As millions of American's tuned in to watch the parade from the warmth of their homes, they noted the lacking crowds and dampening performances.

'I'm gonna go start cooking cause the Macy's day parade is sad,' one person said on X.

'The phrase don't rain on my parade was coined specifically for the Macy's Thanksgiving parade,' said another.

'What kind of mentally ill do you have to be to stand in the rain all morning just to watch the Macy's thanksgiving day parade,' a third person said.

'Macy's day parade a totally gray, sad affair. Sound of silence a** parade,' a fourth said. 

However, the rain isn't stopping anything as rain gear clad participants and audiences are braving the conditions to keep the parade going. 

Even Santa himself was holding a red and clear umbrella as he was ushered through the parade.

The parade has only been canceled three times, from 1942 to 1944 during World War II - but organizers are monitoring wind speeds throughout the festivities to make sure it´s safe for the big balloons to fly.

Temperatures are in the upper 40s degrees F, with rain throughout the morning and winds around 10 mph, well within the acceptable range for letting Snoopy, Bluey and their friends soar. 

New York City law prohibits Macy's from flying the full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph or wind gusts are over 35 mph.

As dark looming clouds loomed over the show, some suggested changes the whole production of the parade. 

'The Thanksgiving Parade needs to CHANGE! @Macys… put cameras all over the balloons, reduce the number of Broadway shows- no one wants to see them, stop the lip syncing soooo many changes needed,' one person said.

'You can tell it hasn't rained on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in a while because everyone including the NBC hosts are trying to keep their smiles. A country singer who's in hot pants and a bustier seems to be very miserable,' said another.

'Geez @nbc really has made the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade insufferable to watch. 2 seconds of a balloon then more talking, interviews, and close-ups. And these cameramen suck too,' a third person said.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that NBC is in the middle of renegotiating their broadcast rights for the parade which could cost them as much a $60 million per year, three times the current price of $20 million. 

Jimmy Fallon had viewers in stitches as he stood wearing black sunglasses despite being out under an umbrella in the pouring rain.

Fans immediately came to the conclusion that the star must have been trying to conceal any evidence of a 'bender' from the night before and took to social media to share their amusement.

One viewer wrote: 'Jimmy Fallon was clearly on a bender and woke up and proceeded to show up at the parade.'

Another commented: 'Is Jimmy Fallon drunk? At 8:45am?'

A third added: 'Jimmy Fallon wearing sunglasses in the rain is the big hangover energy America can relate to today.'