The 80th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held on November 23, 2006, in New York City and shown to viewers live on NBC that same day from 9 a.m. to noon EST. It was hosted by Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, and Al Roker. The lineup featured 12 giant helium character balloons, 48 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonheads and balloonicles, 33 floats, nine marching bands, more than 1,200 cheerleaders/dancers, 800 clowns, a host of celebrities and large performance groups, and the one-and-only Santa Claus.
