The History of The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Pikachu Balloon

There are few characters in this world more iconic than Pikachu from Pokémon. From plush to clothing to ice cream, you simply can't escape him. As a hugely iconic character, Pikachu has made several appearances in the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! In fact, he has appeared in every parade for nearly 2 decades! In this video, let's go through the history of Pikachu's many appearances in this famous American tradition.
Sources:
-Info on the balloons: macysthanksgiving.fandom.com/...
-Footage of the 2001 parade: • Macy's Thanksgiving Da...
-Footage of the 2004 parade: • Pikachu Float at 2004 ...
-Footage of the 2006 parade: • Macy's Thanksgiving Da...
-Footage of the 2010 parade: • Reshiram and Zekrom An...

[@badgerscorner8529]

3:08 Dexter looks like he wants to commit die, whereas Jimmy is just having the time of his life.

[@Mngalahad]

is this the parade where simbat wanted to execute ultraman's son or is it another one?

[@CommanderWiggins]

He wishes to commit sudoku.

[@theworthysoul]

Funny coincidence, this character is named Dexter and so is the first Pokédex Ash had in the anime.

[@judychen1038]

jen stoops 1:09

[@Guppyg53]

Perform a stop living

[@randomgecko4637]

I have a feeling this is what inspired the Poké Floats stage in Melee.

[@mortenera4423]

Pikachu's first parade was in 2001, and Melee was released around the same time. I don't think Sakurai got the inspiration from it

[@SpiritedSpy]

6:51 how do people still keep getting that wrong

[@mariopikaman1]

Ignorance, I'd presume

[@Jayvoru]

Mabye the o in the pokemon logo looks likes the letter a to some people

[@hectorschonsleandro7246]

POKYMAN

[@revolvingworld2676]

@Jeremiah Fidwitch I think most Pokemon fans KNOW its pronounced Poke-Ay-Mon. But to say the name quicker they just say Poky-mon or Poke-mon.

[@eeveefennecfox]

Spirited Spy I know right? they had 20+ years do say it right,you dumbasses had one job =w=;

[@demontamerbf18]

I literally laughed out loud when the dude said "the most famous POKEMAN"

[@thedrewster0408]

6:51 Insert Stereo Love meme with the guy that said “Pokeman”.

[@iron1349]

I like to think Pikachu's current balloon with Eevee as a sequel to the 2nd balloon. Pikachu chased the ball, pushed the button and Eevee popped out

[@thepeternetwork]

Fun Facts: in 2005, my family took the chance to watch the Macy's Parade live and in person. We found a good spot where Broadway and W 57th met with Columbus Circle, and we got to see everything, including a surprise visit from a couple of characters from TMNT which, for some reason, did not get televised. Then we headed back home to Brooklyn and had Thanksgiving dinner at a local diner. Just the three of us. No politics, no drama, just us and the plates. Another time, in Universal Studios FL, when they held their own Holiday Parade featuring some Macy's balloons, my sister entertained the staff enough with some trivia and tales that they invited her to operate one of the balloons. I forget which one it was and the exact date, but we do have photographic proof of such an event.

[@Scott_plush_productions]

That’s cool that your sister was able to operate one of the balloons! Do you remember what balloon she operated and if her and the balloon was on tv?

[@thepeternetwork]

@@Scott_plush_productions This was in Universal Studios Florida, so I doubt it was televised.

[@mightymonster9034]

The newest pikachu balloon is my favorite! Its the cutest one ive ever seen in a parade.

[@connorbeith3232]

10:07 Sonic needs to get in on this with figures of his own infamous popsicle.

[@babypinksnail]

I remember those Pokemon Black & White statues, makes me nostalgic.

[@carri5489]

That was the one time I saw the parade live- I remember going crazy haha

[@carri5489]

That was the one time I saw the parade live, I remember going crazy haha

[@izzyskellington2362]

Ditto

[@nickpix8066]

I was really expecting Sonic to come back this year to promote the new movie but I understand why he isn't in. Great video Patmac!

[@SuperSonicEmerald]

Nicholas Gaming don't worry we hope to see Sonic The Hedgehog coming back at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Next Year to promote the new movie and maybe he will be in a all new Balloon based on the Redesign of the movie.

[@MrSlaveSP]

I remember Goku being in one of the parades, I forgot which one though

[@lightyearpig12]

The Purple Warrior Think it was last year’s parade.

[@MrSlaveSP]

@@lightyearpig12 Too bad he didn't come back

[@chocov1233]

@@SuperSonicEmerald What if they were making prototypes of a float based on Movie Sonic's design from the original cut of the movie.

[@ChumboFumbo]

Ok those who saw today’s thanksgiving parade (the 2019 one for those in the future), was I the only one that flipped at the blues clues float?

[@Ninten110dogs]

SAME

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

The original Pokemon red and green came out the same year as Blue Clue started

[@donnellmadison5586]

That's because blues clues came back

[@seangaming8229]

I didn't watch the parade this year. But now you've peaked my interest

[@ChumboFumbo]

ShadowKid 727 I nearly choked on air when I saw goku and I’m not even a dbz fan!

[@marioandsonicplush6456]

6:49 "Pikachu the famous Pokéman" Also, where are those Spongebob popsicle statues from?

[@lPsychoMax]

Well at least he didn't say Pokemon's like everyone says Digimon's. If it's an abreviation (a word made of of other words to shotern in) it doesn't need a plural; it IS the plural. That why pokemon's isn't a word. You're pretty much saying pocket Monsters's; yet so many people say it regardless, why?!

[@partyharry7585]

Wait So were just gonna ignore they played Tetris music for Pikachu?

[@superzigzagoon]

I was still bamboozled by the Pokimon pronunciations then that one came up. Pokiman?

[@thefrenchiestfry4349]

this year it was a new pikachu balloon where he was accompanied by Eevee! i think it’s definitely my favorite version as it isn’t just pikachu anymore

[@CarbyGuuGuu]

Pikachu isn’t lonely being the sole mascot, anymore.

[@ScythesCartoons]

Swear to god I thought today: "damn, I wish I knew the history of the Pikachu balloon" and here you are

[@ChristopherMoom]

Poor Detective Pikachu doesn't get to have his own balloon -Even though he's the superior Pikachu-

[@mguymario]

he might get on today

[@nocturnal2802]

Wrong you're completely wrong. Get out of here. Just kidding! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@FRAPPEFIZZYY]

Red Guy nope

[@walterwhiteofficial9455]

True👌

[@eeveefennecfox]

it takes time to design balloons,so next year for sure

[@BlueToad124]

6:50 "Pikachu the most famous PokEman character" (with all due respect with Al Rocher)

[@BlueToad124]

Lol

[@maganhassan2627]

@SMD sth91 that's the correct pronunciation of pokemon in English though... this is because the e has the acute accent on it which in french makes the "ay" sound like "cafay" for cafe so "pokemon" is really pronounced as "pok-ay-mon"

[@maganhassan2627]

@SMD sth91 oooh you mean that right? well they sound like ignorants to pokemon franchise they don't know too much about it lol not saying all Americans because they are some who know & love pokemon.

[@thisguy2850]

8:37 snowblobe?

[@saulzz119]

Dude this balloons give me anxiety because just imagine you having fun looking at all of the balloons then out of no where it crashes and it falls in you

[@heavencibbster]

S O N I C

[@cebolimhagameplays6740]

*PIKACHU USED BODY SLAM!*

[@Dojoge69]

@@cebolimhagameplays6740 imagine shrek doing that... *SHREK*

[@stackofthwoks]

6:51 did he just call him a “Pokéman ?”

[@poble]

pokeyman

[@stackofthwoks]

Poble II oh shit

[@poble]

@SMD sth91 was it really necessary to say that they were white? jesus christ

[@maganhassan2627]

@SMD sth91 dude.... pokemon is actually pronounced as "pok-ay-mon" in English because of the acute accent on the e which makes the "ay" sound in french like "cafay" for cafe & resumay" for resume.

[@lPsychoMax]

@@maganhassan2627 But because it's a japanese word, it's pronounced in the japanese way. Like deja Vu is said "Dey-ja Voo" not "Dee-ja V-yu". Because of how the french say it. If it was an american word it would be Pok-ay-mon yes.

[@mortenera4423]

I'll always remember going to Macy's Parade back in 2006 (It was my first time) with my mother, I brought my DS Lite and Pokemon Fire Red. I was amazed of seeing Pikachu in Person for the first time. I was 6 when it happened, it was a great experience. Thanks for these videos, PatMac!

[@AnimatianOfficialIsStinky]

Was I the only one that saw the rumors of the Mario balloon coming this year?

[@samanthearichardosn351]

Yeah, why ISN'T he in yet?

[@AnimatianOfficialIsStinky]

Samanthea Richardosn idk! He’s one of the most iconic video game characters ever, so it seems like he should have one. Pikachu has one, but not Mario.

[@TailsFan92]

I heard that too! It is supposed to be a balloon riding Yoshi from what I heard. I bet it is being made to promote Super Nintendo Land and the upcoming Super Mario Movie by Illumination.

[@AnimatianOfficialIsStinky]

TailsFan92 yeah that’s what people were saying

[@theguywhomakespopculturere574]

@@AnimatianOfficialIsStinky I imagine it's due to Nintendo's strict rules on licensing their characters. They hand out licenses pretty infrequently, and it's possible they've decided the cost of getting a balloon in the parade is too expensive for what they're getting out of it.

[@dmbarchive8124]

Literally yesterday I got a giant Pikachu plush from Dave & Buster's.

[@LovelyYT]

I have one except from Tayto Park

[@Idontknow-sb7wb]

The flashing lights on Pikachu’s red cheeks blew my mind as a little kid.

[@Guppyg53]

My mom would play the Thanksgiving parade every thanksgiving morning, when the parade came on and we were eating breakfast watching it, it truly felt like the holidays were here. Of all the bad things that happened during my childhood theres still memories that I love to have

[@dekutony]

When are we going to get a Mario balloon for the parade!?

[@Camad]

Callan Fox Why would they use a Mario balloon to promote Pikmin doe

[@opossumontheinternet9864]

@@Camad That's how dreams work.

[@SoupyDaze]

I honestly am shocked at the fact that Mario has never gotten a balloon. Shrek got a balloon, how on earth did Mario not?! 😂

[@JonsMovies104]

I wished Sonic did come back but in his movie design, **sigh**

[@TheRManProds]

Hopefully Soon!

[@Pika999]

And now there's another balloon with Pikachu and Eevee! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[@Ieu6054]

Happy Thanksgiving yall! Also Patmac you inspired me to start collecting plushes! I recently got a 1993 takara super Mario kart Yoshi plush.

[@izzyhall3499]

Thank you so much for making this video... I used to go to the Macy's parade as a kid, and even now as an adult I try to tune in just to see Pikachu. I wish the Macy's parade was like the parade in Detective Pikachu where ALL the balloons were Pokémon!!!!!

[@JackieKog]

You are a blessing on KZbin with all these great history and look back videos. Also, thank you for answering my question on Twitter, since then I've been able to grab a few Kirby rare plushes!

[@smashcop1]

I always have memories seeing pikachu in the parade

[@nate9962]

You’re making uploads a lot more frequently now And I love it so much!!

[@Nintendofan781]

Absolutely love the balloon. I'm glad it stayed for 20 years. It just goes to show how awesome a series pokemon is

[@silverxstar01]

I was actually wondering how old the current Pikachu balloon was when I watched the parade this year!

[@Maniac536]

I was actually in the Macy’s parade in 94 and 95. No Pikachu balloon but we did have a sonic the hedgehog

[@PatMacYT]

So wish I could have seen the original Sonic balloon in person, that's awesome!

[@SuperCappy]

Glad to see you make another video about a character in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

[@nevan6454]

I screamed when Smokey bear appears in the parade today

[@NathanSpies]

I wish the 2011 Sonic balloon was used in the 2019 parade to promote the movie

[@jeremyriley1238]

Well, it'll be in this year's parade to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary.

[@nox6685]

i'm in love with all snoopy's ballons from macys

[@peucoman]

Can't believe I'm this early, I still remember Barney dying at one of these parades Also, can we get a history on the Shrek Float?

[@nevan6454]

And Aflac?

[@koopatroopa3164]

The 1997 parade?

[@levithestikbot8437]

Bro I want a postman pat plush history

[@LovelyYT]

Its on youtube videos

[@samanthawolff6452]

I grew up watching the parade with all of the versions of the Pikachu balloon.

[@_eran.j]

It would be pretty neat if the figures would get mas produced into some nice ornaments as most of the balloons have a holiday theme to them. That will make them very easy to market as ornaments.

[@Gut_Bomb]

It’s a honor to watch this on thanksgiving

[@aborealisglfry]

6:51 Ah, yes, pikachu truly is the most popular *pokeman*

[@karasuthedreamer6353]

I have a Pikachu plushie that I absolutely love. Every Thanksgiving I take a picture of it next to the Pikachu balloon on my TV.

[@33pandagamer]

that sounds cute

[@kellyrowe4075]

I was literally wanting to research this this morning thanks for making a vid!!

[@Soooooooooooonicable]

It would be neat if Macy's did a poll asking kids what their favorite balloons are each year. I'm almost certain pikachu would win annually.

[@Hadam10Rose]

I'd be shocked if the older Pikachu balloons were not folded up and in the archives of one of Pokemon International's archives. They tend to have 1 of everything they make, including stuff they make for advertising, for museum and decorative purposes. So if one day they say "hay, back in 2001 we had this, we want to display that at this anniversary celebration" they may still yet fly again someday.

[@NatsumeMasakitheShawolSwiftie]

My most favorite Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon!! 😍😍😍

[@eggsamillion]

Loved this year's and last year's Thanksgiving videos. Keep up the good work.

[@4Angel4cross4eyes]

I’ve always love seeing Pikachu in the parade, as well as all the balloons!

[@mangaboss1411]

I was at that 10th anniversary event in NY - had no idea it was the last time they were flying the original Pikachu, but he was definitely the centerpiece of the event! Later that year I went to the actual parade and saw the new one and was so psyched that his cheeks lit up! Great memories.

[@Guppyg53]

2:10 oh my gosh I remember this exact moment lmaooo. My grandpa was adamant about us watching the parade because pikachu would be on (I guess the newspapers had even been reporting about the new pikachu balloon)

[@averagelittlelulufan]

I like how you mentioned the Greg Heffley balloon at 6:25.

[@DaNoob1485]

6:51 the most famous pokeyman character

[@PeaLord125]

5:11 T.rex and Tyrantrum: Wha-

[@diegogarcia1939]

Happy thanksgiving thank you for a well made fantastic video keep up the great work love your videos

[@GamePunk-nm3cn]

Nice video! I would love to see more videos on Macy’s Day Parade balloons

[@theabacross1581]

The parade of 2006 when I was starting to get into Pokemon I watched the parade and I saw pikachu flying by and I lost my shit, I was 6 at the time. I am currently 19 and I watched the parade this year and ounce again seeing Pikachu is always nice to see.

[@Idontknow-sb7wb]

I don’t remember exactly how old I was at the time I first saw a Pikachu balloon, but seeing footage of the Pikachu and Pokeball balloon made me super nostalgic. I’m around the same age as you and I probably reacted the same way.

[@jakeb4569]

Anyone remember when the casters couldn’t keep a straight face talking about Goku this year?

[@mikalalaaa]

I was at the 10th anniversary party. That was a great time :’)

[@CommanderWiggins]

I have to say, I think the comments section on PatMac's videos have to be my favorite. I don't know why, but people always come up with the most hilarious comments on his videos.

[@dandreincredible7596]

6:51 Did the guy said Pokéman?

[@abigailruvalcab1394]

Yes and also that guy is named Al Roker

[@goldprincejamal]

I Love All Of Your Videos Patmac

[@goldprincejamal]

I Love All Of Your Awesome Videos

[@dylangeltzeiler946]

5:11 Ha! “Twice the hight of a T.Rex”. I can’t resist that part when a popular Dinosaur was mentioned when the Pokémon balloon passes by The Museum of National History right where the Thanksgiving day Parade starts.

[@SonicStalker123]

Happy Thanksgiving to all of those who celebrate it! To those who don’t, I hope you have a wonderful day!!!! I hope you all have an amazing day!

[@jakep7996]

Happy Thanksgiving PatMac

[@1Thunderfire]

You seem really busy lately. Great job!

[@DaNoob1485]

*W E N E E D A D E T E C T I V E P I K A C H U B A L L O O N*

[@darkwolfknight8293]

Interesting History Of Pikachu in the Thanksgiving Parade.

[@lPsychoMax]

I miss chubby pikachu. He was cuter than the skinny one we have now (personal opinion btw). It's just something about this short, fluffy bundle of yellow over the stretchy skinny one; like a hamster cleaning itself, it's just adorable. Really wish nintendo brought it back as another region form or something.

[@rickyvaldez7370]

Love this video as a pikachu fan and Pokemon fan this video is very well made

[@gg-eh9ep]

love your content ♡

[@heartgenerator4967]

Never thought I could hear Pokémon mispronounced so many different ways my god

[@LovelyYT]

Same

[@goldprincejamal]

I Love Your Videos Patmac

[@nintendoe3173]

Pikachu was barely in the parade coverage. No dignity.

[@scout1233]

Now Eevee is joining Pikachu this year! :D

[@DaNoob1485]

Pikachu doesn’t deserve to appear in the parade for 20 years... *our lord and savior jimmy neutron himself does*

[@moniqueperkinsmp]

*and Garfield*

[@Alan_Marin]

DaNoob you know who deserves to be in the parade forever? *Shrek*

[@pikaspits7757]

*CHICKEN LITTLE DESERVES IT MORE*

[@ChuckE.CheesesIllinois]

Chuck E. Cheese's needed one

[@KD_Razzii]

Me, with my 2 Pikachu plushes and 5 action figures of Pikachu on my couch waiting for the 2019 Ballon to show up: -insert Pikachu meme here-

[@aydenc8597]

That is such an awesome video thumbnail

[@malachigarcia7079]

6:50 “POKEYMAN“

[@Idontknow-sb7wb]

The Macy’s Day Parade makes me so nostalgic

[@S1rHar0ld]

great video man

[@thisprojectisretired2559]

You know who loves turkey? Peter Griffin. Please review him.

[@homsar]

Damn, you really want him to be reviewed

[@oggyandthecockroachesoffic3751]

Make Patmac Review Kellytoy Peter Griffin. WHY?

[@hemlockolympic]

Damn almost a year later and your channel and icon are still the same. Talk about dedication to Kellytoy Peter Griffin.

[@RetroAli]

why is this video making me so emotional skdlfksdfs the nostalgia

[@tripled5211]

*PatMac you are a Parade God!*

[@sammykenobi6307]

I was watching ur sonic balloon vid today kol. And the maceys stream lol.

[@qwerty_studios]

Nice I just saw it a couple minutes ago on. Cbs!

[@blackroseknight77]

Pokeaballlonmon Happy thanksforgiving Patmac! ;3

[@mariajimenafigueroa233]

6:59 Pikachu, the most famous POKEYMAN character of all time

[@yagirlhenney5701]

You should make a video about the Pokemon Macy's Thanksgiving parade balloon of this year.

[@xity-xfilms5228]

It shows how *THICC* Pika Boi used to be...

[@chocov1233]

Happy belated Thanksgiving.

[@spicygolf7277]

Update: pikachu is back with a new balloon with eevee

[@lewdcoa570]

Unrelated to the video, the Pearl/Diamond/Platinum music caught me so off guard and took me back and put a nostalgia filled smile on my face

[@SoenyCentral]

2014-2019 Pikachu Is my Favorite

[@Animatoraxel]

Been waiting for this since the sonic balloon

[@Idontknow-sb7wb]

You gotta love the out-of-touch commentary made by the news reporters

[@MattyIce61]

10:00 that would be cool! not only that, what about the background music from ALL the character balloons? That would be REALLY dope!!

[@PatMacYT]

That's a great idea! Each model could have a button on their base that plays the song used when they appeared in the TV broadcast.

[@supertuesday600]

@@PatMacYT hi

[@sagnwaffle9326]

Happy Thanksgiving