Santa Claus, giant cartoon balloons and whimsical floats were protected by sand-filled dump trucks and bomb-sniffing dogs as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade wound its way through the streets of Manhattan under heavy security. (Photo: AP)
Parade participants walk past New York City police officers.
The SpongeBob Square Pants balloon moves down Sixth Avenue.
Handlers make the T-Rex balloon bite a parade volunteer, in Philadelphia.
A float carrying Santa Clause moves down Sixth Avenue.
People sit at a window and watch the Elf on a Shelf balloon outside.
Spectators react as a float carrying Santa Clause passes by.
Members of the West Virginia University Marching Band march along Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Clowns perform as they march along Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in New York.