(AP) - Giant balloons took to the clear, sunny sky over midtown Manhattan on Thursday for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with spectators lining up along the parade route and a heavy police presence keeping a watchful eye.

The parade, in its 89th year, also included marching bands and floats to go along with Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Paddington and other giant balloons. The performers included Jordin Sparks, Shawn Mendes and Pat Benatar.

Police Commissioner William Bratton said more than 2,500 officers were stationed along the parade route for the Thanksgiving Day festivities - the largest number of officers the department has ever assigned to the event.

"I think people are coming here from all over the city, all over the metropolitan region, all over the country to be a part of this parade," Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a news conference Wednesday night. "We cannot let the terrorists succeed at psychological warfare. ... They're doing what they do to try and create fear, to try and change us."