The book ‘Come Join The Parade’ tells about the characters, memories and traditions of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Every Thanksgiving morning, millions of people tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for larger-than-life balloons, amazing floats and Santa’s grand entrance.

But for one woman in her third-floor window on Central Park West, the view is more personal.

Elizabeth Kahane has captured the parade for 25 years through her camera, and now her new book “Come Join The Parade” tells the magic and vision of what is an American tradition.

“I think the parade is a perfect example,” Kahane said. “When I pass by, I have to write it down somewhere. You know, some people have bagpipes and everything. I want it anywhere Macy’s band, but this year I want them to come for my memorial, my funeral. I want Macy’s marching band. That’s what I want.”

Kahane’s book also brings to life the new characters, memories and traditions that have become the fabric of the parade. And for her, the day itself is full of energy.

“It’s very New York,” she said. “So the parade goes there and the parade is here, but mostly I photograph it. That’s what I do. And I capture people here watching it. I’m in the zone and it captures the parade that I just try to bottle it up. And I think that’s what I accomplished a long way, but I really tried to capture the crowds, the bands, the dancers, the cheerleaders, the balloons and of course the floats.”

Kahane acknowledged that she loves “the spontaneity of it all” about photographing the parade.

But she’s also a fan at heart.

“Well, probably Kermit,” she said when asked her favorite balloon in the parade.

The book is timeless and is enhanced by how the parade is viewed through Kahane’s lens.

“I also react to the crowd, because you hear them cheering, and when you know how big their favorites are coming, or celebrities are coming, they start cheering,” she acknowledged. “And then they’ll even start yelling things out, you know, like like a unison, like a like, they start cheering anyway. So I love the crowds. One of the things that this is a new perspective for me, who’s actually not in the book, I’m starting to lean over and I understand what’s going on in the perimeter because often the clowns or some of these smaller characters will come over to the crowd and it’s so much fun, everybody want one selfie. and I started appreciating even more. And I said, oh my god, I have parades all over the world. But it’s a beautiful thing about a parade. It’s for everyone, big and small, and that is just fun, when else can you get something like this to be outdoor art.

Every page of the book is a reminder that while life moves quickly, moments like these are worth stopping and capturing, especially when the view is so spectacular.

ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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