As Thanksgiving approaches in the next few weeks, we begin to think about our traditions’ initial start, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade has been a special tradition that has delighted audiences for nearly a century. It began in 1924 when Macy’s department store employees, many of whom were first-generation immigrants, decided to celebrate their new American heritage with a parade similar to the festivals they were familiar with in Europe. The first parade featured live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo, floats, professional bands, and the iconic Santa Claus. It marked the beginning of the holiday shopping season, giving the people something to look forward to.
The popularity of the parade quickly increased, and by 1927, the live animals were replaced by large helium balloons, which quickly became the hallmark of the event. The first balloon incorporated into the parade was Felix the Cat. Over the years, the parade has featured various special characters, ranging from Mickey Mouse to Snoopy. Over the years as the popularity grew and this tradition became more cherished these balloons became an art of engineering, planning, and executing that required dozens of handlers to guide them through the streets of New York City.
The parade has been cherished by many as it is a large tradition for many families on Thanksgiving morning.