Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon and Float Fun Facts

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has come a long way since the originally called “Macy’s Christmas Parade”. It was created by store employees inspired by their European festivals in their hometowns, according to a 2016 Fox News article. The parade received its new name in 1927, to gear more towards Thanksgiving.

According to a Nov. 22 Fortune article, over 50 million viewers watched the 8,000 volunteer marchers at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, which cost between $11.6 million and $13.4 million. Filling all the balloons with helium alone costs about $510,000.

Thanks to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, broadcast on NBC, and the parade’s official website, here are some fun facts about what makes Thanksgiving Day spectacular!

Returning Floats:

Tom Turkey:

Tom Turkey, following Olaf, entered the parade as a famous Thanksgiving icon. According to the National Turkey Federation, 44 million turkeys are consumed in America on Thanksgiving.

1-2-3 Sesame Street:

The Sesame Street float had Muppets returning after 50 years, and Tony Award Winner Leslie Odom Jr. joined the cast. Sesame Street has special programs to support military families, children with autism and young refugees around the world.

New Floats:

Everyone’s Favorite Bake Shop by Entenmann’s:

Soon to be 125 years old, Entenmann’s celebrated a bit early with a large cupcake that erupted and sprinkled confetti on their float. Academy of Country’s Top Female vocalist Sara Evans performed “Diving in Deep.”

Harvest in the Valley by Green Giant:

The Green Giant really was a giant, with a size 62 boot! For more than 100 years, Green Giant vegetables have made an appearance on the Thanksgiving Day table.

Parade Day Mischief by Sour Patch Kids Candy:

The always mischievous Sour Patch Kids caused some trouble on their float this year with a slingshot cart shooting pushpins into an inflatable clown. A parade within a parade!

Shimmer and Shine by Nickelodeon:

The Shimmer and Shine float really made a shiny appearance with 50 pounds of glitter. Every character was present on this sparkly, fun float with a performance by Jojo Siwa singing “Kid in a Candy Store.”

Universal Playground by Sprout:

Universal Playground by Sprout highlights the importance of imagination and play at any age. Angelica Hale, who placed second in America’s Got Talent, sang “Girl on Fire” on the float.

Returning Balloons:

Ronald McDonald:

Everyone’s lovin’ McDonald’s Ronald balloon as he makes another appearance at the Macy’s Parade. He is as high as a six-story building, as long as 10 bicycles and as wide as six taxi cabs.

Pillsbury Doughboy:

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Since 1869, the Pillsbury Doughboy has helped in the kitchen and making millions of people’s stomachs smile. The balloon is as high as a four-story building, as wide as seven taxi cabs, as long as nine bicycles and has 90 handlers.

Spongebob Squarepants:

It’s the best day ever, for the first ever square balloon in the parade. The sponge not-so-under-the-sea was as wide as seven taxi cabs, as high as a four-story building and as long as seven bicycles. If you took all the ropes from the outside and the inside of the balloon and lined them up end to end, it would stretch the entire 2.5-mile length of the parade!

New Balloons:

“Frozen’s Olaf”:

The leader of the parade and newest of the 17 massive character balloons helped win Playbill number one animated film, with Disney’s Olaf. He is 57 feet long with a carrot nose as long as three snowboards.

Paw Patrol:

Thanks to the dog who is always on call, Paw Patrol’s police hat was large enough to cover a real NYPD patrol car!