3 million line up to watch New York Thanksgiving Day parade

With clear skies and 40-degree temperatures, an estimated 3 million people lined the parade route.

Balloons drifting along the two-mile route Thursday morning included Buzz Lightyear, Clumsy Smurf, Ronald McDonald, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Pillsbury Doughboy and the Aflac Duck Balloonicle.

An "ooh" came over the crowd when the SpongeBob SquarePants balloon passed West 65th Street and Central Park West. Perhaps the loudest cheers came for Mickey Mouse.

Nearby, parents held up their children while standing on construction scaffolding for a peek at the passing parade.