It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without Macy's annual parade. For the first 3 years it was Christmas themed with the parade wound down the west side to end at Macy's where the holiday windows were unveiled. The balloons began in 1928, designed after some balloon floats. They were filled with helium and released at the end. $100 was offered to the winner which lasted until 1932 when a 22 year old woman taking flying lessons was piloting into one of the released balloons - luckily she was rescued by her instructor's quick actions.
Started, Nov 24, 1924
Factoids
1953- Started broadcasting on television nationally on NBC
Looking down on Kermit the Frog from One Times Square, 1979
1924
Santa Claus riding through the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — or Macy’s Christmas Parade, as it was originally called, November 27, 1924
1992
Watching from a hotel window as Betty Boop floated by, 1992
1948
Watching the 1948 parade, in Times Square
1971
A snug scene at the 1971 parade
1989
The first Thanksgiving snowstorm in 51 years hit New York City in 1989. Gusts of wind tore at the seams of giant balloons and caused Snoopy’s nose to puncture
1977
Children watching in amazement as Smokey Bear floats down in 1977
1973
Pondering the spectacle, 1973
1969
Booths with a view, 1969
2019
The cast of “Hadestown” performing at the parade, 2019
2019
Snoopy and his handler at the 2019 parade.
2014
In past years, each giant balloon was guided by between 80 and 100 human handlers.
2020
2020 Parade, hundreds of human balloon handlers were replaced by utility vehicles.
current Drawings and documents
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1914
Featured Advertisement a 1914 Thanksgiving Shoppers Guide