Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is an annual event that happens every year on November 27th, in New York City. They do giant balloons, marching bands, celebrity performers, elaborate floats, and many more. Being one of the largest parades beginning in 1924 makes it also the second oldest parade in the United States. The parade takes place in Manhattan on Thanksgiving morning and typically runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon EST. This Emmy Award winning tradition is seen by more than 3.5 million people in New York and 50 million people at home.
In order to secure a good viewing spot, crowds have been known to start gathering as early as 6:30 am along the parade route. This year’s 99th annual anniversary for the Thanksgiving parade featured performers including Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson and the stars of the hit Netflix movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” They had 34 balloons and 28 floats, with new balloons that include Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story” and Nintendo’s Super Mario.
This tradition goes back many years where it has European roots. In the 1920s a lot of Macy’s employees were European immigrants celebrating the type of festival they loved and cherished back home. First taking place when employees marched through 34th Street dressed as clowns, cowboys, knights and sheikhs where there were floats and professional bands. There were twenty-five live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. The parade was an instant hit and laid a foundation for what would later become one of the most treasured holiday traditions.
The balloons first got introduced in 1927 with cartoon characters like Felix the Cat. The parade even grew through the Great Depression. Then later in 1934s when it became big and was viewed by over 1 million people and even broadcast on the radio. Making even more success as the years went on.