The premier parade in 1924 was dubbed the Macy’s Christmas parade and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. In 1927, the vintage feline cartoon character known by many as Felix the Cat made his debut as the first balloon featured in the parade’s history. Mickey Mouse made his debut in 1934, and classic cartoon notable Popeye took in enough spinach, and helium, to take to the skies in 1957. Before questioning the timeline math, 2013 is, in fact, the 87th parade. From 1942-1944, the World War II era ran into a short supply of rubber, prompting a hiatus in the parade as balloons were donated toward the war effort.
Today's character balloon favorites include Hello Kitty, Pikachu, Sonic the Hedgehog, Spiderman, Garfield and Spongebob Squarepants, who will be joining this year’s lineup as a new and improved second version. Another favorite, Snoopy, will also be taking flight in his seventh incarnation, bestowing on the beagle the honor of being the character to span the largest number of recreated designs. There will be two other new balloons introduced for 2013, which include Toothless, from the book series and film “How to Train Your Dragon,” and Adventure Time’s animated sidekicks Finn and Jake.
While the balloons are the most anticipated features of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, other visual delights include elaborate floats, marching bands from high schools, colleges and the celebrated marching band of the NYPD, entertainment acts from Broadway shows and musical performances. Rock icon Joan Jett will be going west from her Long Island home to perform at this year’s parade.
The parade route begins at 77th Street and Central Park West and concludes at 34th Street and 6th Avenue at Macy’s Herald Square. The parade kicks off at 9:00am, but to ensure a prime viewing location, arrive along the parade route between 6:30 and 7:00am. Be sure to bundle up and bring thermoses of hot beverages to ward off the chills of standing in wait, as this year’s forecast calls for Thanksgiving Day temperatures in the 30s. Staking your spot near the beginning of the parade route will keep the parade’s duration to roughly 90 minutes, whereas taking up position near the finishing line will extend your time on the streets toward three hours.
If you plan ahead for next year, several hotels along the parade route provide rooms for viewing the parade in warmth and comfort. These rooms tend to book at least six months ahead, and the rooms positioned midway up from the ground level go quickly.
If you are booked at your own home, engaged in turkey preparation and pie baking, you can watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on NBC, televised live from 9:00am until noon. The parade was first aired on local television in 1946. Successful ratings prompted a national televising the following year, and families have gathered around the television screens ever since to usher in the holiday season, from the parade’s opening number through its concluding visit from St. Nicholas. Happy Thanksgiving!