New York City Prepares for Thanksgiving Celebrations

Santa Claus rings the opening bell in celebration of the Macy's 90th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, Nov. 23, 2016.

New York police officers block traffic from entering 56th Street at 6th Avenue along the Macy's Parade route, except for residential and business vehicles, a block from Trump Tower. More than 80 sanitation trucks filled with sand will be used along a 2 1/2 mile route of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade to create an imposing physical barrier to terror. The trucks have been used like this before - most recently to protect Trump Tower.

A volunteer helps inflate the Thomas the Tank Engine balloon.

Balloons are held down by nets while being inflated.

Wait staff work in the Storico restaurant beside the inflated Charlie Brown balloon.

Balloons are held down by nets while being inflated.

A member of the Macy's Inflation Team works on the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger balloon.

The Inflation Team helps inflate the Paddington Bear balloon.

Volunteers prepare the Power Ranger balloon.

Members of the New York Police Department's Counterterrorism Bureau patrol the inflation area.

Children and adults watch as balloons are inflated and prepared.

Crowds walk by the Ronald McDonald balloon.