Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons (1927-1969)

Early history
In 1924, store employees marched to Macy's Herald Square, the flagship store on 34th Street, dressed in vibrant costumes. There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. At the end of that first parade, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square.
At this first parade, Santa was enthroned on the Macy's balcony at the 34th Street store entrance, where he was then crowned "King of the Kiddies". With an audience of over 250,000 people, the parade was such a success that Macy's declared it would become an annual event, despite media reports only barely covering the first parade.
The Macy's parade was enough of a success to push Ragamuffin Day, the typical children's Thanksgiving Day activity from 1870 into the 1920s, into obscurity. Ragamuffin Day featured children going around and performing a primitive version of trick-or-treating, a practice that by the 1920s had come to annoy most adults. The public backlash against such begging in the 1930s (when most Americans were struggling in the midst of the Great Depression) led to promotion of alternatives, including Macy's parade. While ragamuffin parades that competed with Macy's would continue into the 1930s, the competition from Macy's would overwhelm the practice, and the last ragamuffin parade in New York City would take place in 1956.
Anthony "Tony" Frederick Sarg loved to work with marionettes from an early age. After moving to London to start his own marionette business, Sarg moved to New York City to perform with his puppets on the street. Macy's heard about Sarg's talents and asked him to design a window display of a parade for the store.
Through the 1930s, the parade continued to grow, with crowds of over one million people lining the parade route in 1933. The first Mickey Mouse balloon entered the parade in 1934. The annual festivities were broadcast on local radio stations in New York City from 1932 to 1941 and resumed in 1945, running through 1951.
The parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 as a result of World War II because rubber and helium were needed for the war effort. The parade resumed in 1945 and became known nationwide shortly afterwards, having been prominently featured in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street, which included footage of the 1946 festivities. The event had its first broadcast on network television in 1948 (see Television coverage). From 1984 to 2019, the balloons were made by Raven Industries of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, through its Raven Aerostar division.
Since 1985, the parade was traditionally led by the New York City Police Department Highway Patrol. In 2019, the cast of Sesame Street led the parade in honor of the show's 50th anniversary.
Music:
Red Barn (restaurants) presents:
"A Traditional Christmas" Album
Produced by George Garabedian.
"Happy Holidays", "Christmas Sleigh Bells", and "The Christmas Waltz"
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[@Mightymoose02]

They are all so SCARY looking....

[@SuperVstech]

I bet a lot of those early characters with the star on their chest were inspiration for Pixar’s characters…

[@Heidishereandthere]

You know, I wouldnt doubt it! 🤣 Good thinking! 👍♥️

[@megsmysteries8968]

Some of the old balloons looked mad maybe they were cold. Lol

[@Heidishereandthere]

I know, they look evil! LOL 😱

[@Sabrinamusicchannel]

Thanks for sharing old time pictures and song 🎧. Good job Heidi. 🌹👍

[@megsmysteries8968]

I love this we were always so excited to see the Macys parade . on tv in black and white. Then color was amazing. This brings back so many memories. Thanks

[@Heidishereandthere]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Miss Marie💕

[@NatureThroughOurEyes]

Wow, this brought back a few memories. Thank you Heidi for the holiday cheer

[@michaelsadventures4261]

Stopping by to check this out.

[@Heidishereandthere]

Thank you! ☺️ I hope you enjoyed it. ♥️🎄

[@SusanMillard]

Thanks so much for the look back Heidi. That was interesting how the balloons got more and more realistic and polished in their appearance as the years went on. I was happy to see Bullwinkle show up for my birthday (1961) although I was born just prior to the parade I think. It is amazing how much money Macy's put into the parade and advertisements and everything...and it paid off handsomely I am sure! Great video 😁👍 I give it a HUGE thumbs up. I am slowly catching up on your videos too. 😉

[@Heidishereandthere]

Aww, hugs, my sweet friend🙂💕 I am so glad to see you here! I watched your latest drawer decluttering video, and they turned out looking great! 👍 It's so inspiring to see, and is a great encouragement for me to get on the ball about my own decluttering. Thank you so much for stopping by! 💕 Have a great weekend🎉

[@TOMGARVEYtheKETOCOOK]

From Popeye on. That brought me back to a great time...

[@Heidishereandthere]

🙂💕 I'm so glad, Chef Tom! Have a great weekend.

[@MrChubbyHubby.]

Neat! thank you for showing us these classics Heidi's Here & There.

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, Hubby ☺️♥️ I thank you for stopping by, and hope your weekend is splendid! 💐

[@handicappedtraveler]

A lot ofthese are even before I can remember Thanks Heidi

[@Heidishereandthere]

🙂 Hey Traveler! Yeah, I decided to do the balloons from when they first used them, 1928, up until 1969. The history about the parade balloons is down in the description notes. Take care💕

[@DCOutdoors]

This was really cool! Wild balloons.

[@NatureThroughOurEyes]

Thanks Heidi for keeping the spirit alive!!

[@Heidishereandthere]

Thanks for watching! ☺️♥️ Glad you enjoyed this. Take care💐

[@JerryAndJulieMusic]

My hubby use to go to these parades. It is my favorite thing to watch on Thanksgiving 🙂

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, "Ordinary Girl" 🙂💕 Thank you so much for stopping by to watch. You are always welcome, and by all means, don't be a stranger! Blessings🙏

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Many memories

[@Heidishereandthere]

Thanks for watching, Dave.🙂 Take care 💕

[@ketoMike]

Very cool, a lot of history in that parade.

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, Chef Mike 🙂💕 So glad you stopped by to watch. I am learning so much from creating all of these videos! 😮 My head is spinning from going "here & there"!! LOL Blessings to you and your better half 🙏😘

[@poetryjones7946]

Neat video, thanks🙏🏼❣️

[@Heidishereandthere]

Blessings to you! 😊🙏💖

[@SandVan]

Very cool ❤

[@dockbc]

Cool flashback to parade balloons. 🙂

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, DOCK 🙂💕 Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

[@IndianHemlock]

Boy that’s some old days gone by !! Very neat Heidi, thanks for sharing !!

[@Heidishereandthere]

😊❤Thanks for watching P.C.

[@Heidishereandthere]

Happy Thanksgiving. Have a blessed day, and ENJOY! ❤🦋

[@IndianHemlock]

@@Heidishereandthere Thank you Heidi !! Have a great Thanksgiving day ❣️🦋

[@IanYGath]

Thank you for these wonderful memories. I wonder what ever happened to them all. Perhaps they are stored in a ware house just waiting to be rediscovered! 🙂🙏🏻💕

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, Mr. Ian 🙂💕 I read about the history, they used to let the balloons go free after the parades, because they had no way of deflating them🤔 🔪+🎈= 💥 But then, Macy's said that whoever finds a balloon can bring it into the store, and get a free gift! 😮👍 Pretty fun stuff! Something else mighty interesting... they were made from inner-tubes!

[@EquipmentAttachments]

Well done. Neat video! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, Collision Detailer 🙂💕 Thanks for stopping by to watch. Don't be a stranger, ya hear? 👍

[@notsurewhatscookin8691]

Cool 👍

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey good lookin' 🤣💕 Thanks for stopping by to watch. I'm popping over to check out your channel... You come back any time! 💐 WOW! You have some really interesting videos there. I subbed👍

[@LONESTARPIONEERING]

Oh how I love the holidays

[@Heidishereandthere]

🙂💕 Hugs💋

[@vaughnkopacz2196]

donald duck @ 2:05-WHOA!

[@Heidishereandthere]

Thanks for watching😊💖

[@Glimbo_gold]

Some of these balloons turned into ghostbusters 3 like the dragon from 1934 the Pinocchio from 1937 and the acrobats from 1938

[@Heidishereandthere]

Yes, I read about how they reused some balloons for other characters. Very interesting little tidbit. 👍 Thanks for watching, and Merry Christmas to you! 🤗🎄🎀🎁❣️

[@Glimbo_gold]

@@Heidishereandthere marry Christmas to you to and a happy new year 🎅🏻

[@Heidishereandthere]

@@Glimbo_gold Thank you so much, and don't be a stranger! You're welcome any time🤗💖

[@Glimbo_gold]

@@Heidishereandthere that’s so nice of you

[@SarahWestTheXanaduQueen]

Nice memories

[@megsmysteries8968]

Pinocchio must of told a big lie. Lol

[@Heidishereandthere]

🤣That's what I was thinking🤣 SHAME ON HIM! LOL

[@megsmysteries8968]

@@Heidishereandthere LOL

[@NicholasPowers]

Great pictures I wasn't born those years When Giant Balloons were inflated from a decades past years my favorite past Giant Balloon is the Tin man and Pinocchio I was born in January 2nd 1992

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey there, "young un"! ☺️♥️ Well, I am so glad you stopped by to take a look. Did you know that they used inner tubes from tires to make all the old balloons? Mighty interesting! OH, and they didnt have a way to deflate them, so they just let them go free, up into the air. Whoever found them were told to bring the balloon into Macy's department store, and they would receive a FREE GIFT! 🎉 Also, the Macy's parade was originally put on by Macy's employees! 😮 And was not a Thanksgiving Day parade at all. but it was called a Christmas Parade! 🎄 I invite you to subscribe to my channel, so you don't miss out on all this fascinating "history". I am learning so many interesting things along the way! ☺️👍 Blessings to you, Nicholas🎄

[@NicholasPowers]

@@Heidishereandthere I remember when Tony Balloon guy he had problems letting the parade balloons go free without the law from NYC he did already from on Radio 📻 modern history making all parade balloons come back in Macy’s store Believe in Santa Claus in Macy’s store so that’s the story when Miracle on 34th street in the film live camera on parade set

[@NicholasPowers]

@@Heidishereandthere mrs walker the famous actor Kathryn o hara so she works for Macy’s thanksgiving day parade Susan Walker her Daughter when her mother doesn’t believe in Santa Claus 🎅 making Children seeing Kris Kringle when He stood to a float with Santa Claus He was walking with his cane 🦯 he was his second to become Santa Claus 🎅 in the early years there is a third Santa Claus 🎅 in the future parades

[@Heidishereandthere]

@@NicholasPowers Yes! I just learned about the filming of "Miracle On 34th Street" taking place during the actual parade! 😮 What a feat that had to be! Timing would be everything, eh?? 👍 Thanks for replying, my friend. ☺️ Don't be a stranger! You are always welcome. 💞🎄

[@Heidishereandthere]

@@NicholasPowers It was Maureen O'Hara who played the mother; also the mom on the original "Parent Trap". ♥️👍 Absolutely gorgeous!

[@rheneastheorangetankengine8727]

My history of famous cartoon characters in macy's thanksgiving parade (1927-2004): Felix the cat (1927) Mickey mouse (1934) Donald duck (1935) Mighty mouse (1951) Popeye (1957) Bullwinkle (1961) Underdog (1965) Snoopy (1968) Woody woodpecker (1982) Garfield (1984) Betty boop (1985) Pink panther (1988) Bugs bunny (1989) Pikachu (2001) Charlie brown (2002) Spongebob squarepants (2004)

[@Heidishereandthere]

Very nice Rheneas☺️ Thanks for stopping by to watch, and a Very Happy New Year to you❣️ 🎉🥂🍾🎀💖

[@rheneastheorangetankengine8727]

​@@Heidishereandthereby the way november 2024 is gonna be macy's 100th anniversary

[@Heidishereandthere]

@@rheneastheorangetankengine8727 Whoa!! I didnt know that! 👍

[@outandaboutwithsamiam5034]

A tradition at my house.

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, Mr. Sam🙂 Yeah, we watched it growing up, but I havent seen it since ... I cant even remember!! 😮 Oh my!

[@CJTheHaunter]

1:44 nightmare fuel

[@Heidishereandthere]

Yes, its a crying shame! 🥺👍 Thanks for watching, and take care!

[@bobpourri9647]

The apex of the parade was during the Bullwinkle years.

[@Heidishereandthere]

Thank you for stopping by to watch! Enjoy your day😊💖

[@Oddwordfan68]

5 years before imelda riveras death:linus the lionhearted balloon 5:55

[@Heidishereandthere]

Yes, Linus was a brave balloon; indeed! 🦁💖 Thanks for watching

[@Oddwordfan68]

6:23 year when imelda rivera died in her early 70s

[@Heidishereandthere]

😮 Oh my goodness! That is so sad! 😭♥️

[@poohbear1647]

Was anyone else disturbed by Pinocchio?

[@Heidishereandthere]

🤣 ME!! ME!! LOL🤣

[@CJTheHaunter]

Me

[@Mightymoose02]

02:03: Donald Duck, WTF!!!

[@nelsonhughes9683]

You forgot to mention Donald Duck 1962, Dino The Dinosaur 1963 and Superman 1966.

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey Nelson😊 Donald Duck came out in 1935- in video, Superman came out in 1940- in video, and honestly, I must've got sidetracked when looking for pics when it came to Dino the Dinosaur, because I have Elsie the Cow in there, came out the same year. 🤔 Thanks for bringing it to my attention! 👍 Have a good one!

[@nelsonhughes9683]

@@Heidishereandthere The was two balloon verisons of Donald. The first in 1935 and the second in 1962. There was three balloon verisons of Superman. 1940, the second in 1966 and the third in 1980 which also happened to be the last balloon Goodyear would make for the parade.

[@reynaldogonzalez896]

Minute 5:13👻👻

[@Heidishereandthere]

Yes!! 🤗👍 Thanks for watching, and have a Merry Christmas! 🤗🎄🎀🎁❣️

[@PETANIROCKER79]

Hello my darling 😘😘

[@Heidishereandthere]

Hey, Ajang 🙂💕 How are you, my dear friend? I'm so glad you stopped by to watch. Hugs and blessings ♥️

[@PETANIROCKER79]

I'm good.. how are you, what are you doing now?

[@Heidishereandthere]

@@PETANIROCKER79 I'm so busy with my videos! 🙂 But sure am having a lot of fun creating them, and learning so much. 👍 Thanks for watching, Ajang. ♥️💋

[@PETANIROCKER79]

I hope you are always healthy and given smoothness in all your activities.. Hugs and kisses for my prettiest angel.. 😘😘😘❤❤❤❤

[@Heidishereandthere]

@@PETANIROCKER79 Aww, thank you, my Indonesian Prince♥️Hugs Take care!