Every Thanksgiving in New York City since 1924, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade yes The biggest event on the calendar.
In its 95-year history, the event has only been canceled three times due to helium shortages during World War II. In 2021, the coronavirus pandemic has changed events around the world.
This article explains the best places to watch the parade, as well as some insider tips on Thanksgiving Eve, and why balloons have failed over the years.
I also wrote this article Where to get a delicious Thanksgiving dinner in New York Create beautiful memories together.
What exactly is celebrated on Thanksgiving?
For my non-American readers, Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November, so you’d be forgiven for thinking that Thanksgiving is all about stuffing your face with turkey and green bean casserole (Get my recipe here >>) spent the afternoon sitting on the couch watching the football game.
but Thank God for a good harvestthis is what Thanksgiving has really been about – ever since the Pilgrims first came to America from England and harvested their first crops.
By the way, a Fall New England Road Trip Simply magical. (Bookmark this post for next year!)
In November 1621, the newly arrived Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians from southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island gathered in Plymouth to celebrate the autumn harvest, and the Thanksgiving tradition began.
Most Blogs About Iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York City, the focus is on the event itself, but This article covers all the funny and scary balloon mishaps over the years!
Originally, the Macy’s Parade was the Christmas parade where Santa Claus is enthroned On the balcony of Macy’s on 34th Street. I have now added this great post to How to spend a gorgeous Christmas in New Yorkif you’re planning to spend the most magical time of the year in New York!
But the giant helium balloon first appeared in 1927 and has been a symbol of the parade ever since, with some 8,000 operators, wranglers, bands and floats now appearing in front of an audience of more than 3 million people, with millions more watching the long-running parade The three-hour march was on television.
Pro tip: The day/night before the parade is an event in itself If you’re in town, you should go there – fill these monsters with helium near Central Park and hold them under the net until they take off the next day.
In 2023, Leo the Lizard made his debut, standing nearly 13m tall. A balloon of this size can cost up to $500,000 just to fill with helium!
As Thanksgiving approaches, one can imagine how difficult it would be for the “balloon wranglers” (up to 30 people needed to create a single balloon) to control these beasts if the weather turns bad.
Where is the best place to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons for free?
Check out the official route and best places to stand Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Website >
Yes, there have been several Thanksgiving balloon disasters over the years. Scroll down to see the video of Barney’s death!
The Thanksgiving Day Parade is filled with balloons!
1927: felix the cat He was the first to appear in the parade, but he caught fire after getting tangled in a telephone cord.
1957: Popeye When a downpour filled the sailor’s hat with water, he veered off course and poured 50 gallons of water onto the unsuspecting and disgruntled crowd.
1985: Kermit the Frog His stomach was severely injured and he collapsed to the ground.
1986: Raj Ann Hit the lamppost and knock it into the street. same year, superman His hand was torn off by a tree. No one was injured in either incident.
1993: Sonic the Hedgehog Crashed into a lamppost at Columbus Circle, breaking an off-duty police officer’s shoulder.
1994: Barney His body was torn apart from a lamppost and he had to be removed from the parade with the help of knife-wielding officers, crying children and cheering adults.
1995: DudleysaurusLeading the procession, he was stabbed with a spear and deflated on a lamppost, showering glass on the crowd below.
1997: This is the worst balloon disaster I’ve ever seen. Strong wind pushed cat in hat Enter the lamppost. Falling debris hit a marcher, fracturing her skull and leaving her in a coma for a month. In 2001, she sued the city for $395 million and “settled for an undisclosed amount.” Size rules were subsequently implemented in 1998, prohibiting the use of larger balloons.
The same high winds also resulted in New York police having to stab and stampede Barney beyond the crowd’s concerns. They also stabbed pink panther For the same reason. I searched Youtube for two days trying to find footage of the balloon being punctured, but unfortunately found nothing. (please comment if so!)
2005: mmballoon got caught in a Times Square streetlight. The two sisters were hit by falling debris, suffering broken teeth and other injuries. M&M’s balloons were retired after 2006 and replaced by floats that pay tribute to Broadway theaters and musicals. The sisters were given a lifetime supply of chocolate beans.
2008: A balloon destroyed NBC’s soundstage, halting their photos. It’s not revealed “who” the naughty gas-filled perpetrator is.
2011: this Love to help The child became discouraged and fell down. Kind of like some of the people he claims to be helping.
2012: Buzz Lightyear Ripping off his helmet, he nearly went beyond infinity and ended up falling into the river, while his handler ended up in the hospital.
2019: Ronald McDonald His leg was injured and he had to be removed from the parade. The rip was discovered in the morning as he was still trapped under the netting, but Macy’s staff apparently couldn’t find tape to repair the 3-inch rip, so they let him go. However, the tears grew and he began to sag, and was removed for “aesthetic reasons”.
same day nutcracker Interrupted one of his agents and knocked her to the ground. Yet he was allowed to continue.
I think you’ll enjoy more posts!
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks monitor, and where to stand to get the best view.
Where to have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner in new york
how to own one Gorgeous Christmas in New York
You may want to read my post How to have a great New Year’s Eve in New York!
Find my picks of the best fantasy pieces New York City Rooftop Restaurants In this article!
this The best shoes for walking Thousands of steps in New York!
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