About 200 people attended Macy’s Clown University on Saturday to be prepared for this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

They have been trained by the stars of the Big Apple Circus.

The goal of the course is to teach the hundreds of new volunteers how to interact with the crowd and get people laughing during the parade.

About 200 people attended Macy’s Clown University on Saturday to be prepared for this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

“You have to be super enthusiastic, really happy and smiley,” one new clown said.

While it may sound like all fun and games, Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, says it’s serious business.

“The clown group is really the heart and soul of the Macy’s parade,” she said.

In all, 900 clowns will take part in the parade.