NATION NOWMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a look back at nearly a century of the American traditionUSA TODAYImagine seeing your first giant balloon at the Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving day. That's what happened in 1927 -- this Felix the Cat balloon was the first of its kind to fly. Check out the groundbreaking balloons through the years.Macy's1927: This Happy Dragon -- and the production of people on the ground making it stay afloat -- were the second balloons ever in the parade.Macy'sIn 1929, parade officials released this Daschund balloon after the procession was over. Imagine looking out your apartment window and watching a wiener dog float by!Macy'sWe've come a long, long way in realistic balloon tech since this 1934 balloon of Eddie Cantor, the first one to depict a real person.Macy'sThis 1934 depiction of Mickey was Disney's first foray into the Thanksgiving parade world. It was designed with the help of Walt Disney.Macy'sJust a casual Happy Hippo floating down Broadway in the 1940s...Macy'sUncle Sam loomed large in the center of Times Square in this 1940s image.Macy'sThis pilgrim balloon from 1946 exemplifies American Thanksgiving through-and-through.Macy'sChristmas is right around the corner! This Macy's elf balloon in 1947 told customers it wasn't just Thanksgiving, but the start of shopping season.Macy'sThis 1948 balloon of Harold the Fireman was the parade's first.Macy'sHere's Harold the Baseball in 1949. It is New York City, after all.Macy'sAdventure time with Finn and Jake!Carol SeitzHello, Aflac duck.Macy'sThe parade -- now in color! Bullwinkle starred in 1961's parade.Macy'sThe world's largest store looks like nothin' compared to the world's largest Donald Duck in 1962.Macy'sIn 1965, Underdog floated well above the heads of parade-goers.Macy'sIt's a bid, it's a plane, it's a ... giant balloon depiction of Superman, as seen in 1966.Macy's1968's Flying Ace Snoopy is the first ever Snoopy balloon (of seven appearances).Macy'sHow to Train Your Dragon's ToothlessPicasaClassic Snoopy has gotten an upgrade.Macy'sKermit the Frog got his place in the spotlight during the 1977 parade.Macy'sRaggedy Ann's expressionless face thrilled (or creeped out) the crowd in 1984.Macy'sBoop! Betty Boop rode high during the 1985 parade.Macy'sThe Pink Panther floats along the packed Manhattan street in 1988.Macy'sIt's Clifford the Big Red Dog making his debut in 1990!Macy's1991 was the first appearance of Spiderman, a balloon that's become ubiquitous at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Macy'sHe's come a long way since 1934, baby! Bandleader Mickey Mouse runs the show in 2000.Macy'sWe may not be on Sesame Street, but Big Bird made an appearance in 2001.Macy'sDoes anything say holiday nostalgia like Charlie Brown? Here he is in 2002.Macy'sHello, Kermit! The bright green frog floats by in 2002.Macy'sEveryone's favorite purple dinosaur made the balloon cut in 2003.Macy'sThis Rabbit by Jeff Koons in 2007 was the second Blue Sky Gallery Series balloon.Macy'sThis "Figure with Heart" by Keith Haring in 2008 was the third Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.Macy'sThis Kaikai and Kiki balloon by Takashi Murakami in 2010 was the fourth Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.Macy'sThis elf got off the shelf!Macy'sThis piece, called "Companion" by KAWS in 2012, was the sixth in the Blue Sky Gallery Series.Macy'sThis balloon of Tim Burton’s B. in 2011 was the fifth Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.Macy'sFlash forward to today: Check out this Paddington Bear from the Weinstein Company.Macy's2014.11.27 Macys ParadeKent Miller, ©kentmillerstudios.comThe Pillsbury Doughboy had fans giggling in 2014.Macy's2014.11.27 Macys ParadeKent Miller, ©kentmillerstudios.comSkylanders Eruptor by Activision Publishing takes to the street.Macy'sFirst the pages, now the sky! That's the Diary of a Wimpy Kid mantra.Macy's2014.11.27 Macys ParadeKent Miller, ©kentmillerstudios.comHello Kitty, queen of the parade.Macy'sSilly Spongebob, it's only Thanksgiving!Carol SeitzSup, Kool-Aid man?Macy'sA Paw Patrol-themed balloon is handled down New York's 6th Ave. in 2019.Seth Harrison, USA TODAY NETWORK