STATEN ISLAND, NY — As we look ahead to a bigger, better Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year — featuring four new balloons and four new floats — why not take a minute to enjoy these vintage snapshots from parades gone by?
The parade will step off on Thursday, Nov. 24, at 77th Street and Central Park West at 9 am, marching its 2.5-mile route from Central Park West to Columbus Circle, turning onto Central Park South and heading down Sixth Avenue, before turning west at 34th Street and ending at Seventh Avenue in front of Macy’s Herald Square.
The 2022 event will be a testament to the unique artistry and quality craftsmanship of every parade element that heads down the streets of NYC, making it one of the country’s most beloved traditions.
Long before they ever saw the streets of the Big Apple, the beloved costumes, floats and balloons came to life Inside a 72,000-square-foot warehouse in Moonachie, NJ There, a group of more than 30 skilled artists worked year-round to prepare the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Macy’s tested the newest Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons earlier this month during its Balloonfest event at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ
The Macy’s Parade Studio — headquarters for all the painters, carpenters, animators and many other experts who build the show’s larger-than-life elements — is where all the magic comes together before hand.
This year, expect to see 300 pounds of glitter and 4,200 costumes strut by.
But, taking a look back as far as the 1920s through 1940s, when parade-goers purchased apples on street corners for pennies as they watched the action along two blocks of Manhattan streets, you’ll quickly notice that the artistry and technology have really come a long way.
A Peanuts Float is shown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade circa 1960. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
A towering Uncle Sam balloon is shown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the 1940s. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
The Sesame Street float made its debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1978. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
Happy Dragon, the second parade balloon in the Macy’s Parade, is shown in this 1927 photo. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
The first-ever Felix the Cat balloon made its debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
The Tin Man float was shown in the 1940s in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
Clowns with giant heads march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1970. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
The Soaring Spirit Canoe float is shown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in a photo Macy’s estimates to have been taken during the 2000s. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
The Eddie Cantor balloon, the first ever balloon based on a real person, was shown in the 1934 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
A Santa Clause balloon makes its way down the parade route in the 1940 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Courtesy of Macy’s)Macy’s
Harold the Ballplayer floats along the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route in 1946. (Courtesy of Macy’s) Macy’s
Raggedy Ann pleased the crowds in the earlier years.
Betty Boop was always a crowd pleaser.
Here’s a look at a balloon from the parade’s early years.
The Pink Panther was always a crowd favorite.
Snoopy passes Macy’s Herald Square in this vintage photo.
The Princess and the Pauper float is shown in a parade decades ago. (Courtesy of Macy’s)
Parade floats have certainly transitioned through the years.
A Lego float is shown in a past parade. (Courtesy of Macy’s)
Today’s floats have come a long way when compared to this float from an early parade. (Courtesy of Macy’s)
Elaborate costumes of the day highlight the float shown in this vintage photo. (Courtesy of Macy’s)
Parade floats have certainly come a long way, when compared to the floats that thrilled crowds back in the day. (Courtesy of Macy’s)
Santa makes an appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade decades ago. (Courtesy of Macy’s)