Every time, as millions tune in to watch the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a select many experience the event firsthand. Among them is Sarah Maslin Nir, a Metro journalist for The New York Times, who has spent over a decade covering this gleeful tradition. Rain or shine, indurating temperatures or gusting winds, Sarah dives into the heart of the cortege , landing its sprightliness and mortal stories.
This time marked her 12th time reporting on the event. The day began beforehand, with a 645 a.m. alarm flourishing her from sleep. Despite the cold rain outdoors, Sarah got ready, seized her tablet and press credentials, and headed to La Farine, a French bakery, for her morning coffee and birthstone. From there, she made her way to the 98th periodic cortege , ready to embrace the crowds, the balloons, and the stories that awaited her.
Reporting Tradition with a ultramodern Twist
When Sarah first began covering the cortege in 2011, her process involved following the entire route — from its launch at West 77th Street to its end at Macy’s in Herald Square — while collecting quotations and compliances. subsequently, she’d head to The Times headquarters to write her story.
Over the times, this process has evolved. Now, she prepares an composition in advance, which is published online as the cortege begins. Throughout the morning, Sarah files updates to keep the story fresh, weaving in real- time details about the event and its attendees. This time, Metro editor Judy Tong banded with Sarah to insure a flawless inflow of updates.
“ I concentrate on the observers, ” Sarah explained. “ My idea is that the people are the cortege . Their energy and excitement bring it to life. ”
The Morning trip
810 a.m. – First Interviews
Waiting for the town No. 1 train at the 86th Street shelter station, Sarah spotted her first subjects of the day a family and family, periods 4 and 8, in bright orange and pink mackintoshes
. Engaging with them about Spider- Man, one of the cortege ‘s balloons, she record down their names and details, letting their mama write them out to avoid any misspellings.
836 a.m. – On the Parade Route
Upon arriving at the cortege ’s starting point near the American Museum of Natural History, Sarah used her press credentials to pass through police fences. She set up herself on the less crowded east side of the route, which offered a clearer view of the action and access to essential installations like movable toilets.
With excitement, she cheered as the Bluey balloon passed by, embodying the spirit of the cortege herself.
859 a.m. – Rain Does n’t Dampen Spirits
Despite the stormy rainfall, spirits remained high. Sarah canvassed a 4- time-old boy named River, perched on his father’s shoulders. “ You do n’t mind being so wet? ” she asked. River shook his head, his enthusiasm for the cortege undeterred.
Because of the rain, Sarah reckoned on her iPhone to record interviews, as writing in her tablet was n’t practical.
Navigating Challenges as a intelligencer
Throughout the morning, Sarah encountered some obstacles. When a police officer originally refused to let her re-up the cortege route after an interview, she invoked her rights as a intelligencer. “ It’s really important to know your First Amendment rights, ” she emphasized. “ We’ve the right to report on public events. ”
Similar moments emphasize the fidelity and determination needed in her line of work.
Chancing Shelter Amid the Rain
924 a.m. – A New Office
As the rain continued, Sarah searched for a dry spot to shoot updates to her editor. She considered using a movable restroom but eventually set up retreat under the ceiling of an exigency medical service wain. The motorist kindly allowed her to lean under the cover and type out her updates.
940 a.m. – A Warm Break
Bymid-morning, Sarah made her way to a friend’s near apartment. There, she enjoyed a brief respite with a warm mug of coffee and a croissant while transferring another round of updates. Moments like these give a important- demanded pause during the bustling content.
The Parade’s Grand Finale
As the cortege approached its conclusion, Sarah returned to the route, ready to witness Santa’s grand entrance. For her, this moment was the zenith of the event. “ Santa is my Taylor Swift, ” she said, her excitement palpable.
The People Behind the Parade
For Sarah, the true stars of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are n’t just the massive balloons or the gleeful floats — they’re the people who gather to watch. From wide- eyed children to devoted families who defy the rainfall, each person contributes to the unique atmosphere of the day.
Her approach to liar reflects this belief. By pressing the particular stories of paradegoers, she brings a fresh perspective to an event that has been covered for nearly a century.
Why the Cortege Matters
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is further than just a spectacle; it’s a cherished tradition that unites people across the country. For Sarah, covering the event is about landing this participated joy and celebrating the small moments that make it special.
“ It’s the stylish time, ” she said. “ Everyone is high as a vampire on happiness. ”
A heritage of Reporting
Twelve times of covering the cortege have given Sarah a deep appreciation for its magic and adaptability. Each time brings new challenges, from navigating crowded sidewalks to daring harsh rainfall, but the price is always worth it.
For those who ca n’t attend in person, Sarah’s reporting provides a window into the experience, icing that the cortege ’s spirit reaches cult far and wide.
As Santa’s sleigh signals the end of another Thanksgiving tradition, Sarah’s work continues to remind compendiums of the power of community and festivity. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is further than a series of docks and balloons it’s a testament to the enduring joy of coming together.
