Every year, close to 27.4 million people turn on NBC or a livestream to watch the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The parade, costing over $13 million in 2022, has turned into an annual tradition as families gather around their television to watch the spectacle of oversized balloons, Broadway performers and marching bands make their way to Herald Square.
The History:
What we see on screen today is not much different than what the people saw during the first Thanksgiving parade. On the morning of November 27, 1924, Macy’s hosted their first ever “Macy’s Christmas Parade.” The event was designed to advertise the grand opening of the Macy’s department store and build up a larger crowd to increase sales during the holiday season. Spanning two city blocks long, the first parade included employees dressed as clowns and cowboys, as well as animals from the Central Park Zoo. Though all the focus was on the last float carrying Santa Claus. The parade turned out to be a huge success, and from then on was planned to be carried out every year.
The Technology:
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has certainly evolved over the years, and technology has played a huge factor in the presentation of the parade today. The use of helium filled character balloons in 1927 signaled a leap in technology. With the progress of materials and engineering, most balloons now incorporate moving parts as well! The parade was hosted on the radio in 1932, and later hosted on television in 1948. In recent years, people have used Virtual Reality headsets to virtually “attend” the parade, with a 360-degree view of the event. LED lighting has also allowed the balloons to have a vibrant appearance both during the day and the night. Advanced weather monitoring systems and real-time communication systems also help ensure the safety of the parade.
The People:
There have been many memorable performances from Broadway to Hollywood over the decades. The parade showcases a wide and diverse range of performers and cultures from all around the world. Many floats embrace the diversity of our cultural landscape and incorporate elements from various cultures to signify unity and togetherness. The United States is a cultural mosaic and recognizing our diversity during Thanksgiving gives us more to be thankful for and proud of.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a visual display of the joy we all feel during the season of thanks. The parade has evolved from a small march of Macy’s employees into an extravagant parade full of life, love, and laughter. The iconic character balloons, decorative floats, famous performers, and technological advancements come together to bring happiness and a sense of unity to millions of people. The parade connects generations and symbolizes the joy of the holidays as it marches through the streets of Manhattan. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade embodies the spirit of gratitude and togetherness.