15 Surprising Secrets Behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
What do glitter, helium, and a secret confetti scandal share? They’re all part of the history and surprising secrets behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Between the estimated 3.5 million people who attend the parade in person and the 44+ million people who tune in from home, it’s safe to say that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the most famous parade that marks the beginning of the Christmas season in New York, and the country.
Even then, with so many spectators tuning in since the 1920s, there are a few quirky and surprising behind-the-scenes secrets about the famous parade that not many may know.
From how the parade selects its marching bands to the woman in charge of the event and important roles that often go unnoticed, here are a few of the most surprising secrets behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that you may not know.
1. Macy’s is the Second-Largest Consumer of Helium in the World
Right after NASA, Macy’s is the second-largest Helium consumer in the country.
The helium use was primarily for filling up the numerous mega balloons since 1927, when the parade switched from live animals to mega balloons.
Even during the 1958 helium shortage, the parade continued and got creative, using other tools to hold up the balloons that year.
2. It Takes Least 90 Minutes to Fill Up 1 Mega Balloon
When blowing up each mega balloon for the parade, patience is needed.
It’s estimated that 90 minutes is necessary to fill up one balloon with helium. The average amount of mega balloons at the parade is around 16. So, 16 balloons that each require a minimum of 90 minutes…we’ll let you do the math!
The next step is painting and embellishing them.
3. Around 300+ Pounds of Glitter is Required
Between floats, mega balloons, and costumes, around 300 pounds of glitter is needed to make the floats and balloons shine bright and draw attention from a distance.
It’s reported that previous parades spend around $13 million to get the annual event going, and each float costs approximately $30,000 – $10,000.
4. The Parade Paused During World War II
During a few years of World War II, the country was in great need of helium and rubber.
Because of this, the parade donated approximately 60 pounds of combined helium and rubber that were planned to be used for the parade.
The parade paused the festivities for not one but three years – 1942, 1943, and 1944.
5. Deflating the Parade Mega Balloons Takes Less Than 20 Minutes
Due to the embedded vents in the mega balloons, strategic deflation methods, and a team of experts, the mega balloons surprisingly only take approximately 15 minutes to deflate!
After they’re deflated, they are taken to storage in New Jersey.
6. Each Balloon Has a Designated Balloon Pilot
Each balloon needs a balloon pilot to avoid crashing into other balloons in line or to get clearance and good direction during the parade, like an airplane or a car.
A balloon pilot quickly goes unnoticed, but next time, look at the ground and see the work each balloon pilot does in their white coveralls and green hats as they walk backward, leading their balloon.
7. Each Balloon Handler Must Pass Specific Criteria
Each balloon has around 50-100 handlers, and each is picked based on specific criteria, including a few health requirements.
For starters, according to a past balloon handler, the only two ways to participate is to be a Macy’s employee or be sponsored by one.
Once selected, a balloon handler has to take specific classes to learn the ropes (no pun intended!), or “bones” as they call the ropes, and how to work them for coordinated control of the balloon.
Additionally, balloon handlers must be at least 120 pounds, physically strong, 18 or older, in good physical health, and able to coordinate well with 80-100 other balloon handlers during the parade.
8. The Transportation of the Balloons
For the balloons to make it from their studio in New Jersey, they must be transported to New York using specific routes and proper storage to set them up at the start of the parade.
The mega balloons are packed in large boxes, loaded into large trucks and other vehicles, and inflated in New York.
9. Marching Band Selection Takes About 1 Year in Advance
Every year, the company searches through hundreds of potential marching bands to participate in the parade. Macy’s selects 10-12 marching bands per year.
The process takes some time, so the search and selection process can take a minimum of one year, if not a few more. Some of the things they look for include stage presence and musical and marching abilities.
Some of the past marching bands include Mercer Island High School Marching Band from Washington State, Avon High School Marching Black & Gold from Indiana, and a few universities.
10. The Parade Began as a Christmas Parade
To attract visitors to its flagship store in New York, Macy’s organized a few Christmas-themed balloons that led to the store’s location on 34th Street.
The parade ended with the reveal of their Christmas display and Santa Claus. Later, it was changed to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
11. Animals Were Used in the Parade
Animals played a massive role in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade during its first few years.
The animals were borrowed from the Central Park Zoo between 1924-1927 to participate in the march. Horses were specifically used to pull the floats between 1924-1929.
1929 was the last time animals had a main role during the parade, and that same year, the parade name was officially changed to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
12. Only Twice Was the Parade Interrupted Because of Nature
In 1971 and 2019, the giant mega balloons were grounded due to severe winds.
According to police, organizers, and a local meteorologist, in these cases, the balloons are either lowered to give the balloon handlers more control over them or simply removed from the parade.
According to experts, balloons cannot be in the air if winds are stronger than 24 mph and cannot fly more than 55 feet or lower than 10 feet.
13. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Was First Broadcast in 1932
Although the first broadcast was via radio in 1932, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade wasn’t televised through a local broadcasting channel until 1939.
CBS broadcasted the traditional parade nationally for the first time in 1948, and then NBC in 1953. Since then, NBC has remained the official broadcaster.
The parade also appeared in a few scenes in movies, including Miracle on 34th Street, and shows like Seinfeld and Friends.
14. Confidential Police Records Were Used as Confetti at the Parade
In 2012, a policeman attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and brought his confetti to throw at the crowds.
That confetti, however, contained delicate information and police records.
Paradegoers noticed the pieces of shredded paper that stood out against the colorful confetti. They contained personal social security numbers, banking information, and police notes from the Nassau County Police Department.
The reason why this happened is still not widely known.
15. A Woman Was in Charge of Operations for 24 Years
From 1977 to 2001, Jean McFaddin was in charge of the parade operations and a few other seasonal events, including Santaland.
She was Macy’s Senior Vice President in charge of special productions, and her main focus throughout her operations was creating magic for children watching the parade.
She made big decisions on numerous ideas, including what balloons to use, floats, bands/music, etc.
What Do You Think?
Which surprising secret did you find most interesting?
Let us know in the comments!
