Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloons Since 1927

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has been a tradition of Thankgiving for decades.

“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade dates as far back as the 1920’s, when Macy’s employees, many of whom were immigrants, began this tradition in an attempt to connect with American culture by celebrating Thanksgiving.”

Via: showtimetickets.com

Balloon years, when given, come from various sources, including Wikipedia and Macy’s website itself. Some have no name or date and a guess was made as to what year they may have appeared.

This is by no means comprehensive as there are most likely many balloons, especially early on that are not included.

1927 Felix the Cat

Macy’s used to release the balloons after the parade was over. Tickets were attached with a reward of $100 for the return of the balloons. That was a fairly nice reward. As an example, a cost around that time period, for a new stove could range from $30 to $60. A nice radio could cost $15 or a new ice box about $30.

Source: scandigital.com  /  via: Scandigital.com

Unknown Father Knickerbocker

Father Knickerbocker is a pen named used by Washington Irving, who wrote the first history of New York and was Manhattan’s first best seller. The then 26-year-old, used the name Diedrich Knickerbocker, “Diedrich” meaning “father” in Dutch, and a note by Irving in the book, indicating Knickerbocker meant to nod or doze over books.

Via: pbskids.org

Unknown Alligator

Facts and tidbits used are also from various sources, a special thanks to David Tarkington and his blog which has some nice bits of trivia.

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: rickstimeonearth.blogspot.com

1932 A…turkey?

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com

Unknown Hippo

Source: welcometohr.com  /  via: http://human%20resources

1934 Mickey Mouse

Source: cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com

1935 The Marx Brothers

These particular ones are from 2004.

Source: web.wm.edu

1937 The Nantucket Sea Monster

Source: americanhistory.si.edu  /  via: Mental_Floss

1937 Pinocchio

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: cupboardsonline.com

1937 Christmas Stocking

Source: assets.nydailynews.com  /  via: nydailynews.com

1938 Acrobats

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: cupboardsonline.com

1938 Uncle Sam

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: theboweryboys.blogspot.com

1939 Santa

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: cupboardsonline.com

1939 Superman

Source: retroist.com  /  via: Retroist

1940 Eddie Cantor

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com

Boardwalk Empire fans know Eddie Cantor as a character on the show. But in case you didn’t know, he was based on a real person.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com

Unknown Ferdinand the Bull

Via: macysinc.com

1940 The Tin Man

Source: 42ndblackwatch1881.files.wordpress.com  /  via: 42ndblackwatch1881.wordpress.com

1941 Fish

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: rickstimeonearth.blogspot.com

No parade was held during the years 1942-1944 because of war efforts and a shortage of rubber and helium.

Source: throughthescreendoor.files.wordpress.com

1945 Jack-o-Lantern

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: rickstimeonearth.blogspot.com

1945 Harold the Clown

Source: macysinc.com  /  via: http://%20Macy’s,%20Inc.%20Photo%20Gallery

1946 Harold the Baseball Player

Via: macysinc.com

Pilgrim 1946

1947 Artie The Pirate

Via: macysinc.com

Source: 0.tqn.com

1947 Artie the Gnome

Via: macysinc.com

Unknown Clown II

1947 Harold the Police Officer

Source: i54.tinypic.com  /  via: Fark.com

1948 Harold the Fireman

Via: macysinc.com

1949 Toy Soldier

Source: assets.nydailynews.com  /  via: nydailynews.com

1951 Daschund/Lucky Pup

Via: macysinc.com

1951 Mighty Mouse

Via: macysinc.com

1951 Flying Fish V.2

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: cupboardsonline.com

1952 Spaceman

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: rickstimeonearth.blogspot.com

1957 Popeye

Numerous stories report that during a rain storm, Popeye’s hat filled with water. It eventually tipped over onto parade watchers. Merry Christmas!

Source: ggrind.slideshowpro.com

1960 Happy Dragon
c. 1973

Source: nydailynews.com  /  via: nydailynews.com

Also a Happy Dragon, but no date given. Obviously much older based on the cars.

Via: macysinc.com

Unknown Toy Soldier

Source: assets.nydailynews.com  /  via: nydailynews.com

1961 Bullwinkle J. Moose

Apparently the oldest balloon still in use.

Source: 42ndblackwatch1881.files.wordpress.com  /  via: wiki.answers.com

1962 Donald Duck

“Heavy rain filled the brim of Donald Duck’s hat in 1962, causing the character to tip over and dump 50 gallons of water on unamused onlookers.”

I’m thinking other onlookers were highly amused.

Source: ggrind.slideshowpro.com  /  via: getwritegossip.com

1963 Sinclair Oil Dino the Dinosaur

Via: macysinc.com

1964 Linus the Lionhearted

1965 Underdog

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com  /  via: theboweryboys.blogspot.com

1966 Smokey Bear

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com

1966 Superman V.2

Source: farm6.static.flickr.com  /  via: flickr.com

1968 Aviator Snoopy

Source: encrypted-tbn1.google.com

Source: getreal.typepad.com  /  via: getreal.typepad.com

Part 2, tomorrow. But no promises.