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"NEW YORK, WE HAVE LIFT-OFF"
30 Colorful Characters Fly High in the 75th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade™
New York, NY - October 2001 - A colorful cast of whimsical characters will take to the skies, on November 22, in celebration of the 75th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeTM. In addition to the return of ten classic favorites, this year's platinum Parade will debut five new giant helium Balloons (the most in Parade history) including, an all-new Sesame Workshop's Big Bird; Kraft Macaroni & Cheese's Cheesasaurus Rex; the Pokémon Company's Pikachu; Nickelodeon's Jimmy Neutron, and leading the charge down Broadway, Vivendi Universal's Curious George.
Before these and the rest of the Balloons take to the skies, there's a troop of skilled artisans, aeronautic experts and a host of balloon handlers that are at work year-round to ensure the Balloons lift-off without a hitch. These aeronautic wonders have been a Parade tradition for 71 years, first introduced in 1927, bringing the best of American popular culture to giant-sized life form.
The spectacular, spectacles known as Macy's signature Parade Balloons are brought to life at the Macy's Parade Studio located in Hoboken, NJ. What seems simple in theory is actually a complex process that combines intricate creative design and advanced technological prowess and takes approximately one year from the date of the last Parade to plan and develop. This year, Macy's Vice President of Annual Events/Parade Studio, John Piper, directs a crew of ten artists, sculptors, mold makers and designers who devote countless hours to conceptualizing, designing, calculating and constructing these magnificent visions into reality.
Snoopy Balloon
Who better to be a part of the Parade's 75th Anniversary than Snoopy! In celebration of the platinum Parade, Snoopy once again "toots" his way down Broadway. Decked in a festive party hat and a "75th Anniversary" noisemaker, Snoopy celebrates the Parade's three quarter-of-a-century existence and the start of the holiday season in style. At 47 feet tall, 28.5 feet wide, 64 feet long, and filled with a volume of 15,650 cubic feet of helium, Snoopy, sponsored by United Feature Syndicate, promises to delight a whole new generation of kids across America and around the world!
How an idea becomes a Balloon
The process of building a Balloon begins with an artist's rendering. The design is then sculpted into a clay model followed by a fiberglass prototype. Once the prototype has been tweaked, a team of skilled engineers works to draft exact blueprints and cut patterns. Rolls of urethane treated nylon are laid out on gigantic cutting tables where patterns are cut to make individual compartments or chambers that make up the whole balloon. Once the patterns are cut and the chambers are formed, the fabric is then heat-sealed. Depending on the size and design, a balloon can consist of multiple chambers. This reduces the risk of damage to a balloon as a whole. When the construction of the balloon is completed, it is then hand painted by studio artists who pay special attention to each specific detail, from Curious George's eye brows to Cassie's three eye lashes, no minute detail is spared. Now the balloons are ready for inflation and to take flight.
Getting Off the Ground
Prior to their Parade debut, new balloons are taken for a test flight at what is known as Balloonfest, which will occur on Saturday, November 3rd this year. Under the direction of a Pilot and Captain, a flight management team of eight and up to 50 balloon handlers are given instructions as to how to support and fly the balloon. Upon inflation, each balloon is anchored, front and back by two utility vehicles. At the Parade step off, balloon handlers are instructed by the pilot and captain to slowly release their tether at which time the helium inflated balloons are airborne. Once in the sky, balloons can reach a maximum altitude of five stories or 60 feet.
How the Balloons Came About
Millions around the world enjoy the pomp and pageantry of the Parade, especially the giant-sized Balloons. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons made their debut in 1927, just three years after the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (formerly known as the Macy's Christmas Parade) made its way through the streets of Manhattan. The very first character Balloon to take flight was Felix the Cat, followed by master puppeteer and cartoonist, Tony Sarg's Dragon, Elephant and Drum Major. The introduction of the balloons were so widely received by the American public that, in 1934, none other than legendary animator, Walt Disney, helped to create the original Mickey Mouse Balloon, as well as The Big Bad Wolf, The Little Pig and Pluto Balloons.
In addition to flying high, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons have had other attributes, including sound effects introduced in 1933 (i.e. barking for the Dachshund, oinking for The Pig and wails for the Crying Baby); and thanks to photographic technology some of the balloons have even served as camera operators. For instance, NBC equipped the Spider Man Balloon with a camera to capture the crowds and give a "Balloons-eye" view of the entire Parade as it marched on.
The Show Must Go On
In 1958 there was a worldwide helium shortage, however, this would not deter Parade organizers from producing the best Parade America had ever seen, balloons included. In the absence of helium, the balloons were inflated with air and attached to cranes to be carried down Broadway.
Macy's, Believe it or Not
From the introduction of the first balloon in 1927 to 1932, balloons were released from its handlers in front of Macy's Herald Square after the Parade. The public was then charged to retrieve the balloons and return them to Macy's in exchange for a handsome reward. However, in the interest of public safety, Macy's officials put this tradition to a stop, when an aviator almost crashed on Broadway in pursuit of a Balloon.
Year after year, the Parade has managed to delight and entertain millions and as it marches toward its diamond anniversary. New characters and technology will be implemented to ensure that each Parade is better than the last.
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