Parade Info
*Watch Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2006, from 9 a.m. to noon on NBC
*For those of you lucky enough to be in NY on that day, go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade website for time and route information.
The History of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
In 1924, Macy’s employees conducted the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the parade has evolved into the balloon, float, and band extravaganza that is know the known harbinger of the holiday season. The only interruption in the parade’s long history was from 1942-1944, when Macy’s donated the balloons to the war effort.
After the 3-year suspension, the parade was televised in New York for the first time in 1945. Now, the famous celebration is broadcast all over the world – an icon of America and the holiday season. Nine broadcasts since 1979 have been awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Achievement.
The parade route is 2 ½ miles. Over 2.5 million people line the streets of New York to watch in person, and over 44 million tune in to NBC to watch the live broadcast. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade unites families and Americans to kick off the most wonderful time of the year.
*To read more about the parade history, or to find out how balloons and floats are made, visit the official Macy’s website.
