An important reminder if you are headed to Macy's annual balloon inflation event Wednesday: Central Park West is slated to shut down starting at noon, and there will be some extra security.

Spectators will be screened and no backpacks will be permitted.

The event is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and close to the public at 8 p.m., two hours earlier than in years past.

There will also be extra security in place at the Thanksgiving Day parade itself in the wake of a man driving a pickup truck into pedestrians in Lower Manhattan on Halloween, killing eight people, officials said.

The city police department said additional officers will be stationed along the route, and intersections will be blocked off from unauthorized vehicles.

The parade is scheduled to begin 9 a.m. Thursday from 77th St. and Central Park West.

Marchers then head downtown to Macy's flagship store in Herald Square.

3 million people are expected to watch the floats.

New additions to this year's parade include Olaf from "Frozen," the Grinch and the dogs of "PAW Patrol."