If you're driving over Thanksgiving, keep in mind that Operation Slow Down continues through the holiday weekend.

Last year, 21 people were killed on North Carolina roads in the week surrounding Thanksgiving.

The State Highway Patrol says speed is the leading cause of traffic deaths.

To mark Thanksgiving most federal and state offices are closed as well as banks.

And a reminder for people who use the Triangle Transit Authority, bus and shuttle routes will not operate today or tomorrow. Regular bus services will pick back up on Saturday.

It's Thanksgiving and that means it's time to kick off the holiday season with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. This is the 150th anniversary of the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Besides the giant balloons and floats, the parade also includes performances by Miley Cyrus, James Taylor, the Rockettes, and of course, an appearance by Santa Claus.

The West Johnston High School Band beat out hundreds of other bands for a chance to march down Broadway.

Band members have submitted videos to MyNC.com in recent weeks. NBC17 gave band members some cameras to continue uploading video of their experiences in New York. Read more about their experience by clicking here.

The parade starts this morning at 9 a.m. on NBC17.

 Read more Thanksgiving related stories, click here.