New pop-culture idols inflate into gigantic balloon effigies every year, but the classics continue to enthrall young and old alike. Parade debutants from Kung Fu Panda and Diary of a Wimpy Kid delighted spectators in this year’s parade.
In the procession with these modern cartoon stars were the three longest-standing balloons in the parade: Snoopy, Kermit the Frog, and Mickey Mouse. These timeless figures create a common bond between generations—a rare phenomenon in a world that has seen many changes. Grandparents and grandchildren share childhood memories of Mickey Mouse flying across the Manhattan skyline.
“It’s one of those magical events that bring together people of all walks of life,” said Amy Kule, executive director of the iconic holiday spectacle. Indeed the parade held magical moments for all. Teenage hearts swooned as boy band Big Time Rush rolled down their limousine windows to greet the crowd.
“He touched my hand! I can go home now,” gushed a flustered teen. Jessica Simpson, Kanye West, and Kylie Minogue also had their share of the limelight.
The celebrities may have changed since the days of Howdy Doody’s parade appearance in the 1950s, but organizers try to keep a mix that suits all audiences, parade spokesperson Orlando Veras told the Associated Press. Also on Thursday’s roster were soul singer Gladys Knight and folk artist Arlo Guthrie.
{etRelated45035,26053} The crowd endured the cold to see their favorite acts. At 40 degrees Farenheit, it was indeed chilly, but the extreme weather of 1956 still blew it away by far. Winds of 45 mph ravaged the parade that year, leaving only one balloon intact. Mighty Mouse proved his mighty strength as the sole survivor among his balloon brethren.
The cool weather afforded a beautiful end to 2010s parade. As sparkly bits of silver tinsel fell like snow over the procession, the first few snowflakes of the year descended on the crowd in Herald Square.
The Show Must Go On
Whether it’s the elements, or an adverse economic climate that poses an obstacle, the show must go on. The parade grew out of the prosperity of the Roaring ‘20s, followed closely by the Great Depression.
“During the Depression in the 1930s, when the country was preoccupied with surviving widespread destitution, the parade functioned as a catalyst to jump-start the economy and the morale of the people,” states a William and Mary University report.
As budget cuts sweep the city, state, and nation the 2010 parade held its ground.
The parade airs on television for three hours and will remain the same size to fill this slot, explained Kule. She declined to comment on exact costs, but remarked:
“The parade is free. It is our gift to the city and America on Thanksgiving.”
Symbols of a Changing Nation
The parade started as a small procession of mostly immigrant Macy’s employees in 1924. Immigrant representations in the parade, however, have only slowly found their place in the spotlight.
The first African-American balloon drifted through the city streets in 2002. It was Little-Bill, a cartoon character created by Bill Cosby. In 2005, Dora the Explorer forged forth as the first Latino representation in the Macy’s parade and remains a favorite.
As videogames established their roots in American culture, Sonic the Hedgehog graced the city’s horizon in 1995. The internet age incarnate, an Ask Jeeves balloon, found its place in the 1999 parade.
The Uncle Sam balloon led Americans into World War II and into the war in Iraq. He first appeared in 1938 and led the procession until 1940. The parade that persevered through so many trials over the years was halted for three years by this war. The rubber and helium were precious resources that had to be conserved. After a 60-year sabbatical, Uncle Sam reappeared in 2002.
His imposing figure continues to inspire the approximately 3 million live spectators and 50 million television viewers across the world
