Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

Macy's Department Stores have been conducting an extravagant Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1927.  Its signature helium Balloons float in the skies towering above New York for everyone to see rain or shine. Macy's celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas during this extravaganza.  Immigrants were the first employees hired and patterned this parade European style.  Floats have varied from Felix the Cat, knights in armor, cowboys and indians, clowns, animals, professional bands and theme driven current events.  Releasing balloons at the end of the parade is a long gone tradition where those who found them could claim as prizes.  Occasionally, balloons were found days or sometimes weeks later.    

Although there was a depression in the 1930s the procession did not stop.  Crowds of over one million lined the route.   Walt Disney characters began to come on the scene.  Audiences were also able to listen to the celebration on radio at that time.  

During the 1940s since World War II was going on the parade stopped until 1945.  In the 1950s the spectacle came on strong.  Celebrities such as Captain Kangaroo, Howdy Doody, Sally Starr, Sid Caesar and Danny Kaye began to make appearances.  

In the early 1960s the country suffered the loss of President Kennedy.  Although still in mourning the celebration took place a week later to avoid disappointing millions of fans.  By this time festivities could be view on television although it was a bittersweet year.  

For the next three decades some of the most famous balloons, Superman, Kermit the Frog and Snoopy appeared on the scene.  Magical as it seems this is an unforgettable New York experience for all.