Video: 'Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 90th Anniversary Special'

(Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 1924, 9:00 a.m. EST) — In a grand celebration marking the start of the holiday season, Macy’s department store hosted its first-ever Thanksgiving Day parade today, captivating over 250,000 spectators along a two-mile stretch of Broadway in the Manhattan borough of New York City.

The parade, which began at Central Park West and ended at Herald Square, featured a series of elaborate floats, each mounted on automobiles cleverly concealed beneath the platforms, giving the illusion of them “floating” down the avenue.

Each float carried its own unique theme, with Macy’s employees dressed as clowns, cowboys, sheiks, and knights.

Video: 'Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: 85th Anniversary Special (11/24/2011)'

Adding to the excitement, live animals from the Central Park Zoo were paraded through the streets, delighting both children and adults alike.

Today’s parade, initially titled “Macy’s Christmas Parade,” concluded with Santa Claus making a grand entrance, much to the delight of the crowd. Macy’s officials confirmed that the Santa Claus float, along with a traditional Turkey float, will remain central to the event in the coming years.

The event was deemed a major success and was quickly declared an annual tradition by Macy’s.