PowerPoint Show by Andrew

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Record 3.5million defy terror fears to watch the spectacular Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with an unprecedented police presence.

Annual parade kicked off Thursday morning at 9am ET with marching bands, floats and massive balloons.

More than 2,500 officers were stationed along the route in the most heavily policed parade in the city's history.

Americans have been told to remain alert following the Paris attack, but the Department of Homeland security says there has been no credible threat to the U.S.

Floats and balloons are seen on Central Park West prior to start of the 89th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan.

An armed police officer stands guard at the start of the Parade - the most heavily policed parade in the city's history, officials said.

More than 2,500 officers were stationed along the parade route for the Thanksgiving Day festivities.

Mariah Carey is seen arriving at the parade, where she will perform for the crowds, dressed in a floor-length red dress.

Children lean against the railings along the parade route in a bid to get a better view of floats and balloons during the parade.

Snoopy and Woodstock make their 39th appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - more than any other character.

A cartoon based on the square-shaped cartoon character floats down Central Park West during the parade.

A vehicle carrying armed police officers makes its way down 6th Avenue behind a float carrying Santa and his elves.

Scrat, the persistent squirrel from Ice Age, makes his Macy's Parade debut this year along with his gigantic balloon acorn.

A reveler carries balloons as police steer their motorcycles across Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Topped with her signature red bow, the popular cartoon character has been taking to the skies since 2007.

Police on a roof as the Pillsbury Doughboy balloon - which is 63 times bigger than the 'real' version - floats by.

A little girl finds a higher spot from which to view the spectacle of the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Paddington Bear tips his red hat to spectators as the balloon - as high as a five-story building - makes its way through the parade.

Thomas the Tank Engine is the parade's heaviest ever balloon, weighing more than 1,000 lbs.

Cheerleaders wave their pom poms and march across 6th Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Eruptor from video game Skylanders required an incredible 40 gallons of florescent paint and five barrels of glitter to make.

New York City Police Counter-terrorism Police watch over the parade route during the 89th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A grinning SpongeBob - along with his 90 balloon handlers moves down a festively decorated 6th Avenue.

The Ronald McDonald balloon - one of 17 in this year's parade - floats down 6th Avenue.

A person dressed as a turkey poses for a picture outside Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan during the parade.

The Elf on the Shelf character makes its way along the parade route, along with 90 handlers dressed like Santa.

Dino, the balloon brontosaurus, originally made its parade debut in 1963 and is one of very few life-sized balloons.

A balloon based on the game Angry Birds, set to be made into a movie next year, makes its way through Columbus Circle.

People take to their balconies as the Red Power Ranger balloon, a new addition to the parade last year, floats by.

Police officers survey 6th Avenue as the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger floats by during the parade.