The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Through the Years [PHOTOS]
One hundred years and going strong. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an American holiday tradition since 1924, when the New York City department store decided to hold an event celebrating the expansion of its flagship Herald Square location.
Over the ensuing decades, generations of people have tuned in (or lined up in the cold) to see iconic character balloons, marching bands, dance troupes, and other performers usher in the Christmas season. In 2024, the parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, with performances from Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, and The Temptations. But before that happens, let’s look back at some memorable moments from past Thanksgiving Day parades.
Giant balloons weren’t actually part of the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which instead featured animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. The massive inflatables debuted in 1927, when Felix the Cat floated down Fifth Avenue. In 1928, crowds gaped at tiger and fish balloons. At the time, the balloons were released at the end of the parade, with a prize awarded to those who recovered them.
Popular character balloons often make multiple appearances in the Macy’s parade. Snoopy has appeared more than 40 times. But other balloons are a product of the times. In 1953, this rocketman balloon reflected a growing interest in all things space-related.
The Radio City Rockettes have been a fixture at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1957. In this photo from 1966, they perform their routine in front of a Smokey The Bear balloon.
These days, the team from NBC’s Today show does the honors of hosting the parade. Back in 1968, the duties fell to Lorne Greene and future Golden Girl Betty White.
In 1983, parade host Willard Scott and a young Joey Lawrence posed with characters from the animated kids TV series Shirt Tales.
Some lucky New Yorkers are able to watch the parade from their windows overlooking the 2½-mile route. In 1986, John Lennon’s son Sean Lennon viewed the spectacle from his apartment on Central Park West. In 1999, Madonna cuddled with her daughter Lourdes as the floats rolled by.
Sometimes, protesters disrupt the parade in order to get their message across. In 1996, activists unfurled a banner urging Macy’s to stop selling clothing produced in sweatshops. In 2023, pro-Palestine protestors glued themselves to the parade route, temporarily halting the parade.
While the Macy’s parade usually comes off without a hitch, bad weather and bad luck have led to some memorable accidents. High winds were a problem for multiple balloons in 1997, including the Cat in the Hat balloon, which collapsed when it hit a light pole, critically injuring a woman on the ground.
The 2001 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a particularly emotional event, as it came just a few months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. First responders were celebrated at the parade, while many paradegoers made a show of their patriotism, including this Sikh man who waved an American flag and a sign honoring the city’s firefighters.
New balloons make their debut every year at the Thanksgiving Day parade. In 2024, Minnie Mouse will appear for the first time ever.
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