Millions line 6th Avenue for Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

More than three million people lines the street to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

The bands, the balloons and the crowds!  

"We're making friends with everyone here. It's New York spirit? It's great, it's wonderful, we're having a great time," said one paradegoer. 

For New York, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is as much a part of this holiday as the turkey itself. 

"This is our third time and we love it," added another paradegoer. "It's much better than on TV!" said another. 

Something different at this year's parade – for the first time it is coming down Sixth Avenue but despite the new route, it's still packed with all of the old tradition. 

Every year a Brooklyn dad gets up in the middle of the night every year to make sure his daughter and wife a prime spot for that big show. 

"We' arrive at four o'clock in the morning." 

Saira Martinez of Brooklyn "He comes, he saves the spot and then we come later at seven o'clock," said Saira Martinez of Brooklyn. "Yes, that's the way to do it every year." 

Young Colton Harmon told Fox 5: "It's really fun." When asked what he was thankful for he added "I'm going to say having my family and coming up to New York -- we're form South Carolina, long drive."   

Something else to be thankful for this year – mild temperatures!

"It's wonderful, once in a lifetime experience, you have to do it, it's great," said Helen Lassiter from North Carolina.