(AP) -- A giant Charlie Brown balloon will join 1,000 clowns and a dozen marching bands along a parade route lined with spectators and police in plainclothes for the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Charlie Brown balloon is one of three new giant character inflatables in this year's parade, and joins returning favorites including Thomas the Tank Engine, Hello Kitty and SpongeBob SquarePants. The popular event draws millions of spectators as it makes its way through the streets of Manhattan before finishing up at Macy's flagship store.

But attendees also will see some somber sights, like the more than 80 sanitation trucks filled with sand that will be placed at intersections and other places as barriers against any kind of attack. There also will be a heavy police presence.