Parade began back in 1924 in New York City. The parade was organized by people involved with Macy’s department store. At that time, it was a Christmas parade. The parade did not begin with the big balloons and popular characters audiences see today. The parade actually featured real live animals from the Central Park Zoo. Balloons became part of the parade 3 years later, in 1927.
The first parade featuring balloons did not go exactly as planned. The balloons were part of the grand finale and were released into the air, but soon after the balloons burst. Several balloons were later found and the department store gave away prizes to those who brought back the balloons. These structures can be dangerous and people have been hurt in the past, so spectators should be careful when watching the parade. However, there have also been many safety precautions developed for the balloons since the parade began. Some of the most popular balloons have included Felix, the very first balloon, Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, Garfield and Popeye. This year balloons will include Kermit the Frog, Smurfs and Snoopy, along with many more.
In 1946, the parade began reaching even more audiences when it was broadcast on TV for the first time. Macy’s parade has had several announcers over the years. Some of the first announcers included Lorne Greene, Betty White, and Willard Scott. More recent announcers include Katie Couric, Matt, Lauer, Meredith Vierra, and Al Roker. These individuals have the honor of giving a play by play to the public and describing the floats, giant balloons and entertainment.
Although the balloons are the most well-known aspect of the parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade also has many other exciting sights to