Rojak Timeout: Turkey Day

Today's Rojak Timeout is brought to you by Una Ragazza in New York.

Every year, one month before Christmas, America celebrates its largest national holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. I describe it as the American Reunion Dinner to my Asian friends, only without the hongbaos (red packets stuffed with cash).

To celebrate the occasion with a public event befitting its significance, the department store chain Macy's puts together an annual parade with giant ballons, falloons (float-based balloons) and balloonicles (self-powered balloon vehicles) of well-known cartoon characters.

As my new apartment is just steps away from the start of the parade, I decided to join the inflation viewing on the eve of Turkey Day. Here are images freshly taken from a cold night out.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Thousands of tourists and locals took a stroll one chilly November evening

The balloons are finally in sight!

The CBS news crew prepares for a live segment

The best seats in the house... yeah, daddies!

Shrek!

Hola, gato!

A very dry piece of sea sponge

Imagine drinking this amount of Kool-Aid

The Wimpy Kid makes his debut at the 2010 parade

Kermit's eyeballs look even bigger up close

Ronald McDonald coming to life

And a whole lot more floats awaiting their ascent into the skies come Thanksgiving morning...