Another year of magic kicks off Thursday morning at the 87th Macy 's Thanksgiving Day Parade , with its signature giant balloons , whimsical floats and performers taking over the streets of New York City , but a couple of displays are generating some controversy . From its modest beginnings in 1924 , the annual parade has become a holiday tradition featuring some of the world 's most beloved characters and attractions . In all , more than 50 balloons -- including Christmas SpongeBob Squarepants , Finn and Jake from `` Adventure Time '' and Toothless from `` How to Train Your Dragon '' -- and nearly 40 floats will roll down the streets , with new additions from Cirque Du Soleil , `` Despicable Me , '' Royal Caribbean , Lindt Chocolate , and SeaWorld -- whose float is being met with protests . Animal rights activists , including members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals , say they plan to protest SeaWorld 's `` A Sea of Surprises '' float Tuesday at the New Jersey location where the floats are built and stored . `` This planned float is deceptive in the extreme because it shows orcas frolicking in a magnificent sea alongside their families when really we all know now that SeaWorld deprives orcas of all these things , '' Ashley Byrne , a spokeswoman for PETA , told CNN . The documentary `` Blackfish , '' which recently aired on CNN , examines the safety and ethics of keeping killer whales in captivity . The film profiled Tilikum , the whale that killed a trainer at SeaWorld in 2010 . PETA has released an online petition asking that the SeaWorld float be removed from the parade . According to Byrne , more than 80,000 people have already signed it . `` As far as what happens the day of the parade , it remains to be seen , '' Byrne said . PETA is also connected to a float controversy involving rocker Joan Jett . Joan Jett & The Blackhearts were scheduled to sing atop a South Dakota tourism float , but the band was removed from the float after protests that Jett , a vegetarian and PETA advocate , was representing the state where cattle are important to the economy . `` Farming and ranching are primary drivers of South Dakota 's economy . Many livestock producers expressed concern about whether Joan Jett was an appropriate representative for an agriculturally oriented state like South Dakota , '' Jodie Anderson of the South Dakota Cattlemen 's Association told CNN . It is unclear on what float Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will perform Thursday . `` I 've decided to switch from South Dakota to another float because people 's political agendas were getting in the way of what should be a purely entertainment driven event , '' Jett said in a statement this month . `` I will remain focused on entertaining the millions of people watching , who will be celebrating a great American tradition . '' In the past , Macy 's Inc. has avoided controversy at the parade . `` The Parade has never taken on , promoted or otherwise engaged in social commentary , political debate , or other forms of advocacy , no matter how worthy , '' a spokesperson for Macy 's Inc. said in a statement . `` Its mission has always been about entertaining millions of families and spectators . '' More than 3.5 million people are expected to line the parade route . Another 50 million are expected to watch more than 1,600 cheerleaders , 11 marching bands and 900 clowns from home . Jimmy Fallon and The Roots , The Goo Goo Dolls , Gavin DeGraw and Fall Out Boy are among the scheduled performers . Despite recent controversies , Macy 's `` will remain steadfast in following the guiding core of a decades old mission , celebration and entertainment for all . ''
The Thanksgiving tradition enters its 87th year with new floats and balloons . Animal rights group PETA to protest SeaWorld float at New Jersey storage site . Vegetarian rocker Joan Jett removed from float for cattle-loving South Dakota . Macy 's `` has never taken on ... or engaged in social commentary , '' statement says .