Set to take place on Thanksgiving morning 100 years ago, the first Macy’s Parade promised to be a magnificent affair. A newspaper ad in the Brooklyn Eagle placed by R.H. Macy & Co. announced the new event: “A giant Christmas parade will be held in Manhattan in which Santa Claus,

Carlson will play the mellophone in Macy's "Greatest American Marching Band," which is made up of 150 high school students from around the country. He started applying and auditioning for the spot last spring.

The holiday season really kicks off when the massive helium balloons start floating through New York. Here's everything you need to know about this year's parade.