One of the most exciting things you can view actually happens before parade day. Those beloved, signature balloons will be prepared for flight on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from noon to 6 p.m., on the Upper West Side, outside the Museum of Natural History, between West 77th and West 81st streets.

The annual Balloonfest flight test is the opportunity to take all new character balloons that crews have been building and testing indoors, out on a field test and also gives a sneak peak of the new balloons.

With its elaborate floats and performances, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual tradition. But how does that tradition actually happen?