Chocolate, Cartoons, and Carolers: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Photo: Forbes
Each Thanksgiving, the American department store, Macy’s, hosts its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade which celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday with giant balloons, performances, and floats.
The parade was initially named the Macy’s Christmas Parade, first taking place on November 27, 1924 to increase sales for the holidays and to promote Macy’s new store. This procession even included animals from the Central Park Zoo in New York City!
Balloons were made part of the parade in 1927 and were released into the air after the event ended. However, this tradition soon led to a disastrous situation. In 1932, a balloon got itself caught in the wing of an airplane, causing the plane to go into a tailspin. So, out of concern for safety, following this incident, Macy’s stopped releasing its parade balloons.
Photo: Entertainment Weekly
All is not lost! Giant balloons still have a major role in the celebration. They are larger than life and float high above the heads of spectators. Balloons have taken the shape of beloved American cartoon characters including Spider-Man, Charlie Brown, Big Bird, Garfield, and Mickey Mouse.
This year, Macy’s plans to fly 25 different balloons such as Stuart the Minion, Po from Kung Fu Panda, and Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Photo: Sun Sentinel
Stuart the Minion
Stuart is a character from the animated Despicable Me movie series. He is one of many yellow, pill-shaped creatures who don overalls and goggles and provide comic relief in the fun-loving comedies. Stuart and his comrades are loyal assistants to Gru, the grumpy but loveable protagonist who navigates plots of mystery, intrigue, and fatherhood throughout the hilarious and lighthearted films.
Photo: Fandom
Po, Kung Fu Panda
Po is a panda who falls into the destiny of a victor. Accidentally becoming the official protector of his town, he undergoes intense martial arts training under the scrutiny of Master Shifu. With his newfound skills, he vanquishes evil throughout the series of movies. Large, cuddly, and personable, Po is a hero in the hearts of many young children for his fighting prowess, quirky demeanor, and gentle heart.
Photo: KZY FM
Greg, Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Greg is the main character in the fictionalized Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series which follow his life as typical middle schooler who encounters disheartening but laughable obstacles. Many young people have found Greg’s character awkwardly and humorously relatable.
More to See!
There will also be 6 balloonicles – large balloons on wheels or bicycles – and 31 floats this year, including Macy’s singing Christmas tree (with carolers), and a float inspired by Willy Wonka.
Photo: Fandom
Willy Wonka
A character from Roald Dahl’s novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka owns a factory that creates delicious chocolate. He hides five golden tickets inside several of his chocolate bars for children to find. The lucky children get to tour the factory and win free chocolate for life. However, on the tour, Willy tells the children the rules they must follow, but these are consistently broken by everyone except for one young boy, Charlie. Charlie is given the chocolate factory to reward his obedience.
In addition to balloons and floats, marching bands from different American universities and high schools will make their mark over the course of the parade, performing lively and spirited pieces for spectators.
Photo: Tuscaloosa News
17 performers will also make their way along the parade route, including Pentatonix, a three-time Grammy-winning acapella group known for their original songs, covers, and holiday music.
Photo: Pentatonix Official Website
Finally, in addition to these acts, there will be 29 clown troupes and 7 other kinds of performance groups!
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a can’t miss, fun-filled family affair, popular in households across the country!
Vocabulary List:
Promote (verb): To support, advertise
Procession (noun): A kind of march or parade
Tailspin (noun): When an airplane moves downward in a circular motion
Spectators (noun): People who watch or observe an event
Protagonist (noun): Main character
Intrigue (noun): Interest, thrill
Scrutiny (noun): Intense evaluation
Vanquishes (verb): Defeats
Prowess (noun): Skill, talent
Demeanor (noun): External personality
Disheartening (adjective): Unfortunate
Carolers (noun): People who sing Christmas songs, typically go door-to-door
Don (verb): To wear
Undergoes (verb): Experiences
Martial arts (noun): Kinds of fighting styles
Newfound (adjective): Fresh
Personable (adjective): Likeable
Awkwardly (adverb): Strangely
Humorously (adverb): Funnily
Spirited (adjective): Energetic
Grammy (noun): An award for excellence in music
Troupes (noun): Groups of performers
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Phoebe McChesney is a student at Oberlin College in the United States, majoring in Politics. She has interned in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a Page in the U.S. Senate. Phoebe would love to work in Congress, with a federal agency, or on foreign policy and international relations one day. She is a blogger for her college and is interested in America House Kyiv’s Ukraine-American work.