Photo Flash: Best of Broadway Performs on MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

A dazzling lineup of Broadway's best took part in the milestone 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, broadcast live on NBC yesterday. Performances included the Broadway casts of CATS, HOLIDAY INN, PAPAMOUR, and WAITRESS. In addition, viewers got a sneak peek performance from NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! which premieres Wednesday, Dec. 7 (8 p.m. ET/PT). And of course, the parade would not be complete without an appearance by the world-famous Radio City Rockettes. Check out all the photos (including Santa!) below.

For nine decades MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE has been a march like no other by bringing generations an UNRIVALED procession filled with more than 8,000 volunteer participants dressed as clowns, strutting their stuff in a marching band or escorting the Parade's signature giant inflatables and floats of fantasy into the hearts of millions. Originally known as the Macy's Christmas Parade, the tradition was started by Macy's employees who wanted to celebrate the holiday season with a grand pageant similar to the over-the-top carnivals and festivals of Europe.

The first Parade featured fanciful floats, employee marching bands, clown groups and real animals from the Central Park Zoo. Stretching from Harlem at 145th Street and Convent Avenue down more than five miles to Macy's Herald Square, the first event was such a success that it was deemed by Macy's to be an annual event from there on forward.

Photos by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE Santa Claus

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Paramour" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Paramour" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Cats" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Cats" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Cats" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Jessie Mueller starring in "Waitress" performs

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Cast of "Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical" perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - THE MUPPETS perform

THE 90TH ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - (l-r) Savannah Guthrie, Miss Piggy, Matt Lauer

Cast of NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! Perform (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)