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Schoolkids Treated To Sneak Peek Of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Floats

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Six brand new floats will be making their big debut at the 89th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Dozens of schoolchildren got a close-up sneak peek of the floats at the Macy's parade studio in Moonachie on Tuesday.

"When they're oohing and aahing, and smiling, and wondering how we did it, to me that's a check in the box of job well done," parade executive producer Amy Kule told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck.

Hundreds of artisans build the elaborate floats. It's a true labor of love, said parade studio Vice President John Piper.

"The most elaborate and most animated could take as much as nine months from the time we start with a pencil sketch and end up with a beautiful float on display," Piper told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.

PHOTO GALLERY

This year's six new floats are "Big City Cheer!" by Spirit of America Productions; "The Colonel's Road Trip to NYC" by Kentucky Fried Chicken; "The Cranberry Cooperative" by Ocean Spray; "Discover Adventure!" by Build-A-Bear; "Heartwarming Holiday Countdown" by Hallmark Channel; and "Snoopy's Doghouse" by Peanuts Worldwide.

The new Snoopy float celebrates the 50th anniversary of "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

"The Peanuts gang has been part of the parade for nearly 40 years...so we've got a beautiful little float that harnesses back to the history," Kule said.

One third grader said his favorite is the KFC float because "I'm really hungry."

Seventeen giant character balloons will be a part of this year's parade. Joining the line-up this year: Angry Birds' Red by Rovio Entertainment; DINO by Sinclair Oil; Scrat and his Acorn from "Ice Age" by Twentieth Century Fox; and Ronald McDonald will debut in his fourth giant balloon.

1010 WINS is the official radio station of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Tune in Thanksgiving morning for full parade coverage and traffic updates to start your holiday.

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