Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons

Thanksgiving Parade Balloons

In 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving parade will celebrate its 82nd year of existence.  The parade originally began with floats, marching bands and animals from the Central Park Zoo, but in 1927 they decided to start filling giant balloons with Helium and including them in the parade. Characters such as Mickey Mouse and Popeye started gracing the skies of the parade route.

Over the years the Balloons have gotten progressively more elaborate and detailed and has come to the point where companies exist today strictly to build these mammoth balloons.

Examples of some Giant Helium Balloons

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Route:

If you want to check out the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade this year, first of all you will need to be in New York City.  The parade route is as follows; the parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West.  It then proceeds to Columbus Circle and turns onto Broadway.  The parade then proceeds to march down Broadway until 34th Street where it turns left just past Macy’s Herald Square.  The parade eventually finishes at 7th avenue.

If you do come and plan to watch, folding chairs are forbidden as they just reduce the available space and if you are familiar with Manhattan and the parade you know space is something that is in high demand!