Libraries are sticklers for their rules—and they have a lot of rules—but check out the latest one at the Yonkers Public Library: NO BALLOONS. While bringing a balloon to the library doesn't seem to be a trend here in the city, it was apparently a thing in Yonkers if enough people were bringing balloons to necessitate this sign. We've contacted the New York Public Library to see if balloons are banned in their branches, or if they'd consider such a ban, and have asked for a list of all banned items from the main branch on 5th and 42nd (if a previous visit there taught us anything, this list will probably include croissants). Stay tuned! [via Scouting NY] more ›

Reader Rishi D. sent us this picture of The Kool-Aid Man balloon stumbling on Central Park West. Don't worry, folks—The Kool-Aid Man got back up quickly (it's no 2005 M&M balloons-hitting-street-lamp-into-people or 1997 Cat in the Hat-into-street-lamp incident). But more fun: Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami, whose Kaikai and Kiki are new balloons in the parade, will be marching, too! more ›

Spoiler alert: there are no winners in this story. According to a FIPS tipster, there are rogue balloon gangs invading Prospect Park, in which children are shooting long balloons off into the air and annoying fun-hating grown-ups. (Hey, whatever keeps them out of the bars.) The tipster writes: more ›

In spite of the dreary weather, thousands of New Yorkers flocked to the Upper West Side to see balloons get inflated for today's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Here are just some photographs of the pre-parade excitement—that Spider-Man balloon looks pretty awesome. more ›

If you've passed by 57th Street and Park Avenue you've most likely noticed a building filled with balloons being saturated with LED lights subtly changing colors. WCBS investigated and found the creators, Hello Darling, who say all in all there's 10,000 balloons of different sizes in there, with the largest measuring in at 8 feet! They have a little video on their site showing the piece being put together, allegedly with the help of someone in Brooklyn. Leave any sharp objects at home and go check it out yourself. more ›

The beautiful weather made yesterday's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade the hot ticket: The NY Post reports 3.5 million people lined the streets to enjoy the balloons, floats, and performers, while the Daily News put the spectator figure at around 1 million. Many parade watchers were waiting since early morning (4 a.m., 5 a.m.), staking out good spots to watch the 9 a.m. parade. more ›

It was a beautiful day for Macy's 82nd Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Enjoy these photographs of festivities. more ›

The 1930 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade certainly looked a little odd compared to the floats we see today. The Bowery Boys have now taken a stroll down memory lane, recalling some of the weirdest balloons to fly above Broadway in history. Above are a couple of old-timers, a Pinocchio from 1935 with a 44-foot nose, and a 1941 fish, which they call "artistic and graceful." more ›

Tomorrow is the festival's last day; balloons ascensions are at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Here's more information. more ›

Brooklyn street artist D.Billy has been adorning the town with impermanent art. The temporary "tags" have been spotted under and above ground, and his mediums have included balloons, streamers and artist tape. He says of his work:

I have begun to add visual representations of sound effects to public spaces as a sort of dimensional graffiti. After embellishing the found scenes and photographing the results, I leave my additions in place to engage passers-by for as long as the materials hold up. For me, this process encourages a reexamination of surroundings and objects that are usually taken for granted, and injects a hint of the fantastical surreality that I have established in my other work.

Yesterday's lovely weather made the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade a big crowd pleaser. An estimated 3.5 million spectators watched as giant balloons, floats, and hundreds of parade performers sauntered from 77th and Central Park West to Herald Square. Some people waited since 4AM in hopes of catching a glimpse of their favorite performers, who included Dolly Parton, Wynonna, the cast of Legally Blonde, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Good Charlotte, Menudo (really!), the Rockettes... more ›