NATION NOW

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a look back at nearly a century of the American tradition

USA TODAY
Imagine 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.
Imagine 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's
1927: This Happy Dragon -- and the production of people on the ground making it stay afloat -- were the second balloons ever in the parade.
1927: This Happy Dragon -- and the production of people on the ground making it stay afloat -- were the second balloons ever in the parade.
Macy's
In 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!
In 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's
We'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.
We'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's
This 1934 depiction of Mickey was Disney's first foray into the Thanksgiving parade world. It was designed with the help of Walt Disney.
This 1934 depiction of Mickey was Disney's first foray into the Thanksgiving parade world. It was designed with the help of Walt Disney.
Macy's
Just a casual Happy Hippo floating down Broadway in the 1940s...
Just a casual Happy Hippo floating down Broadway in the 1940s...
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Uncle Sam loomed large in the center of Times Square in this 1940s image.
Uncle Sam loomed large in the center of Times Square in this 1940s image.
Macy's
This pilgrim balloon from 1946 exemplifies American Thanksgiving through-and-through.
This pilgrim balloon from 1946 exemplifies American Thanksgiving through-and-through.
Macy's
Christmas 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.
Christmas 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.
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This 1948 balloon of Harold the Fireman was the parade's first.
This 1948 balloon of Harold the Fireman was the parade's first.
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Here's Harold the Baseball in 1949. It is New York City, after all.
Here's Harold the Baseball in 1949. It is New York City, after all.
Macy's
Adventure time with Finn and Jake!
Adventure time with Finn and Jake!
Carol Seitz
Hello, Aflac duck.
Hello, Aflac duck.
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The parade -- now in color! Bullwinkle starred in 1961's parade.
The parade -- now in color! Bullwinkle starred in 1961's parade.
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The world's largest store looks like nothin' compared to the world's largest Donald Duck in 1962.
The world's largest store looks like nothin' compared to the world's largest Donald Duck in 1962.
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In 1965, Underdog floated well above the heads of parade-goers.
In 1965, Underdog floated well above the heads of parade-goers.
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It's a bid, it's a plane, it's a ... giant balloon depiction of Superman, as seen in 1966.
It's a bid, it's a plane, it's a ... giant balloon depiction of Superman, as seen in 1966.
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1968's Flying Ace Snoopy is the first ever Snoopy balloon (of seven appearances).
1968's Flying Ace Snoopy is the first ever Snoopy balloon (of seven appearances).
Macy's
How to Train Your Dragon's Toothless
How to Train Your Dragon's Toothless
Picasa
Classic Snoopy has gotten an upgrade.
Classic Snoopy has gotten an upgrade.
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Kermit the Frog got his place in the spotlight during the 1977 parade.
Kermit the Frog got his place in the spotlight during the 1977 parade.
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Raggedy Ann's expressionless face thrilled (or creeped out) the crowd in 1984.
Raggedy Ann's expressionless face thrilled (or creeped out) the crowd in 1984.
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Boop! Betty Boop rode high during the 1985 parade.
Boop! Betty Boop rode high during the 1985 parade.
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The Pink Panther floats along the packed Manhattan street in 1988.
The Pink Panther floats along the packed Manhattan street in 1988.
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It's Clifford the Big Red Dog making his debut in 1990!
It's Clifford the Big Red Dog making his debut in 1990!
Macy's
1991 was the first appearance of Spiderman, a balloon that's become ubiquitous at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
1991 was the first appearance of Spiderman, a balloon that's become ubiquitous at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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He's come a long way since 1934, baby! Bandleader Mickey Mouse runs the show in 2000.
He's come a long way since 1934, baby! Bandleader Mickey Mouse runs the show in 2000.
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We may not be on Sesame Street, but Big Bird made an appearance in 2001.
We may not be on Sesame Street, but Big Bird made an appearance in 2001.
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Does anything say holiday nostalgia like Charlie Brown? Here he is in 2002.
Does anything say holiday nostalgia like Charlie Brown? Here he is in 2002.
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Hello, Kermit! The bright green frog floats by in 2002.
Hello, Kermit! The bright green frog floats by in 2002.
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Everyone's favorite purple dinosaur made the balloon cut in 2003.
Everyone's favorite purple dinosaur made the balloon cut in 2003.
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This Rabbit by Jeff Koons in 2007 was the second Blue Sky Gallery Series balloon.
This Rabbit by Jeff Koons in 2007 was the second Blue Sky Gallery Series balloon.
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This "Figure with Heart" by Keith Haring in 2008 was the third Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.
This "Figure with Heart" by Keith Haring in 2008 was the third Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.
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This Kaikai and Kiki balloon by Takashi Murakami in 2010 was the fourth Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.
This Kaikai and Kiki balloon by Takashi Murakami in 2010 was the fourth Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.
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This elf got off the shelf!
This elf got off the shelf!
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This piece, called "Companion" by KAWS in 2012, was the sixth in the Blue Sky Gallery Series.
This piece, called "Companion" by KAWS in 2012, was the sixth in the Blue Sky Gallery Series.
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This balloon of Tim Burton’s B. in 2011 was the fifth Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.
This balloon of Tim Burton’s B. in 2011 was the fifth Blue Sky Gallery Series Balloon.
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Flash forward to today: Check out this Paddington Bear from the Weinstein Company.
Flash forward to today: Check out this Paddington Bear from the Weinstein Company.
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2014.11.27 Macys Parade
2014.11.27 Macys Parade
Kent Miller, ©kentmillerstudios.com
The Pillsbury Doughboy had fans giggling in 2014.
The Pillsbury Doughboy had fans giggling in 2014.
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2014.11.27 Macys Parade
2014.11.27 Macys Parade
Kent Miller, ©kentmillerstudios.com
Skylanders Eruptor by Activision Publishing takes to the street.
Skylanders Eruptor by Activision Publishing takes to the street.
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First the pages, now the sky! That's the Diary of a Wimpy Kid mantra.
First the pages, now the sky! That's the Diary of a Wimpy Kid mantra.
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2014.11.27 Macys Parade
2014.11.27 Macys Parade
Kent Miller, ©kentmillerstudios.com
Hello Kitty, queen of the parade.
Hello Kitty, queen of the parade.
Macy's
Silly Spongebob, it's only Thanksgiving!
Silly Spongebob, it's only Thanksgiving!
Carol Seitz
Sup, Kool-Aid man?
Sup, Kool-Aid man?
Macy's
A Paw Patrol-themed balloon is handled down New York's 6th Ave. in 2019.
A Paw Patrol-themed balloon is handled down New York's 6th Ave. in 2019.
Seth Harrison, USA TODAY NETWORK