What’s to Come in 2024:
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is celebrating its 98th anniversary in 2024. For the past 98 years of the parade, people have supported and flown balloon floats across the streets of New York City. It’s an event people like to see on television or in person during the morning of Thanksgiving, as Eliza Hall states, “It was cold, but exciting and a wonderful experience with my family.”
To start this year’s parade, Macy’s announced a new float that can be seen in this event and sponsored. The theme of the new float will represent The Bronx Zoo, titled “Wondrous World of Wildlife,” celebrating the animals and their exhibit.
Additionally, some popular balloon floats return. For example, Spider-Man, a Marvel Comics superhero who appeared in the parades of 1987-1998 with the same popular stance in every appearance.
There are of course some other balloon floats appearing like Goku, a fictional character who is a part of the Dragon Ball manga series, Dora from a popular channel Nickelodeon with a matching float called “Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest.” “Extraordinary Noorah & Elf on the Shelf”, will feature an Elf on the Shelf on the back of an Arctic Fox named Noorah. There will also be Spongebob SquarePants and his friend Gary upon his back along with Smokey Bear.
As for the floats, there will be “Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party,” hosted by Geoffrey the giraffe from Toys “R” Us. Which is exciting for most people, Sophia Skoczolek even stating “It needed to be back, it was my childhood.” With Toys “R” Us stores nearby Milford being shut down and switching locations to nowhere nearby.
There will also be, “People of First Light,” which is a bowling float to sponsor Go Bowling, “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” also by Nickelodeon, “Candy Cosmos” which is sponsored by Haribo, “Magic Meets the Seas” which is from the Disney Cruise Line, and much more of those as well.
Some Christmas floats also return to celebrate the following holiday, “Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree” and “Santa’s Sleigh.”
Lastly, presenting the annual Tom Turkey, a float with a giant turkey appearing down the streets.
Over the Years:
The Macy’s parade started in 1924 and it has been labeled as a kick-off to the holiday season. The event was started by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo.
The first-ever parade had more than 250,000 people attend. In 1927, they began to make their signature giant balloon floats, the first one being shown by Felix the Cat. Since then, more than 100 floats have been created. In the 1930’s, the crowd grew to more than 1 million people. In 1934, the famous Mickey Mouse was shown to float down the streets.
During World War II and the war needing the rubber and helium the balloons used; it suspended the parade until 1945. Up to this day, the Macy’s employees continue to fund the parade and make floats of more up-coming and popular characters.
Performing at the Parade:
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade features performances and shows each year. This year, they will have the Spirit of America Cheer performing a show. Another performance appearing will be the famous Radio City Rockettes, along with Death Becomes Her, Hell’s Kitchen and The Outsiders.
Some singers will also take to the stage on some individual floats like Bishop Briggs, a British singer, a Disney star Kylie Cantrall, Chloe Bailey an American singer, Dan + Shay a musical duo and Dasha another American singer and songwriter.
You will also see Jimmy Fallon who you may know from Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon along with his show’s house bands, The Roots, Coco Jones, Walker Hayes, Ariana Madix, Joey McIntyre, Indian Menzel, Natti Natasha, T-Pain, and so much more.
