Photo: Courtesy Rizzoli
Want to impress yourThanksgivingguests with some fascinating facts about the event, including details about the oldest balloon to fly in Macy’s Thanksgiving parade? We’ve got you covered.
The2023 editionairs Thursday, Nov. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to noon on NBC and Peacock in all time zones.
The first-ever balloon was Felix the Cat
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A rubber shortage put the parade on hold
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During World War II, Macy’s canceled the event for a few years because there wasn’t enough rubber or helium tocreate and inflate the balloons.
Macy’s wasn’t the first department store to have a Thanksgiving Day parade
Balloons are pulled along Market Street during the 6ABC/IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade November 27, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.William Thomas Cain/Getty
William Thomas Cain/Getty
The first department store to host a Thanksgiving Day parade was Gimbels, a now-defunct Philadelphia-based chain that launched its own parade in the City of Brotherly Love in 1920. Though Gimbels closed in 1986, the Philadelphia parade has continued with new sponsors.
The balloons used to be released at the end of the route — but there’s a good reason that stopped
A SpongeBob SquarePants balloon seen at the 92nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2018 in New York City.James Devaney/WireImage
James Devaney/WireImage
“In the early years, they would untether them, and they would fly away and invariably end up somewhere on Long Island,” Silverman told PEOPLE. “If you found one, you could claim a reward.”
The problem? Aside from the environmental toll, people would rip the balloons apart and bring in small pieces in hopes of earning said reward. The tradition ultimately ended when one loose balloon became entangled in the propeller of a small plane, nearly taking it down.
“The pilot said she had something extra-special to be thankful for that Thanksgiving,” Silverman said.
These days, the balloons are simply deflated, crated and stored in New Jersey once the parade ends.
Not all balloons are created equal
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While square balloons present the biggest challenges, round balloons can be tricky, too, with Silverman adding, “Any pointed parts are difficult to design, inflate and balance.”
He continued, “It actually took them a while to get Olive Oyl well balanced.”
What finally made it work? “They put Swee’Pea in her arms.”
Additionally, if a balloon is sporting an accessory, look out! One year, so much rainwater collected in Popeye’s cap that it spilled out and drenched the crowd as the balloon made a tight turn.
Bonus: How much do you think the parade costs?
Courtesy Rizzoli
As far as cost, Silverman noted this is something we’ll likely never know.
“Macy’s won’t disclose that,” he explained. “As they say, it’s a gift to the city, and, as with any gift, you don’t leave the price tag on.”
source: people.com
