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.
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The Thanksgiving tradition enters its 87th year with new floats and balloons
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Animal rights group PETA to protest SeaWorld float at New Jersey storage site
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Vegetarian rocker Joan Jett removed from float for cattle-loving South Dakota
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Macy's "has never taken on ... or engaged in social commentary," statement says
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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 @placeholder advocate, was representing the state where cattle are important to the economy.