Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Balloons Since 1927

The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade has been a tradition of Thankgiving for decades. It started out as a way for the employees of Macy's to say thank you to New York. Macy's started using balloons in their parade in 1927 and it has been tradition since. Here's part 1 featuring balloons from 1927 to 1968.

Via showtimetickets.com

"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."

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.

scandigital.com / Via Scandigital.com

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.

Via pbskids.org

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.

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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.

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1932 A...turkey?

welcometohr.com / Via http://human%20resources

Unknown Hippo

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1934 Mickey Mouse

web.wm.edu

1935 The Marx Brothers

These particular ones are from 2004.

americanhistory.si.edu / Via http://Mental_Floss

1937 The Nantucket Sea Monster

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1937 Pinocchio

assets.nydailynews.com!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen / Via nydailynews.com

1937 Christmas Stocking

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1938 Acrobats

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1938 Uncle Sam

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1939 Santa

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1939 Superman

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1940 Eddie Cantor

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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.

Via macysinc.com

Unknown Ferdinand the Bull

wordpress.com / Via 42ndblackwatch1881.wordpress.com

1940 The Tin Man

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1941 Fish

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

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1945 Jack-o-Lantern

macysinc.com / Via http://%20Macy's,%20Inc.%20Photo%20Gallery

1945 Harold the Clown

Via macysinc.com

1946 Harold the Baseball Player

Pilgrim 1946

Via macysinc.com

1947 Artie The Pirate

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Via macysinc.com

1947 Artie the Gnome

Unknown Clown II

i54.tinypic.com / Via Fark.com

1947 Harold the Police Officer

Via macysinc.com

1948 Harold the Fireman

assets.nydailynews.com!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen / Via nydailynews.com

1949 Toy Soldier

Via macysinc.com

1951 Daschund/Lucky Pup

Via macysinc.com

1951 Mighty Mouse

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1951 Flying Fish V.2

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1952 Spaceman

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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!

nydailynews.com!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen / Via nydailynews.com

1960 Happy Dragon

c. 1973

Via macysinc.com

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

assets.nydailynews.com!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen / Via nydailynews.com

Unknown Toy Soldier

wordpress.com / Via wiki.answers.com

1961 Bullwinkle J. Moose

Apparently the oldest balloon still in use.

ggrind.slideshowpro.com / Via getwritegossip.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.

Via macysinc.com

1963 Sinclair Oil Dino the Dinosaur

1964 Linus the Lionhearted

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1965 Underdog

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1966 Smokey Bear

flickr.com / Via Flickr: 10131956@N00

1966 Superman V.2

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1968 Aviator Snoopy

getreal.typepad.com / Via getreal.typepad.com

Part 2, tomorrow. But no promises.