A look back at the iconic Turkey Day tradition, now in its 85th year
Beginnings
In 1924, Macy's hosted its first parade, then known as the Macy's Christmas Parade. Macy's employees participated in the inaugural event, and the company borrowed live animals from the Central Park Zoo to accompany the floats. The parade's success was encouraging, and as a result, Macy's decided to make the event an annual occurrence. Above: a parade float from the Macy's 1926 Thanksgiving Day Parade.NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
Aerial View
Often thousands brave the cold and line the streets to watch the parade, but those with access to buildings on the parade route are afforded a warmer way to view it. Above, a girl watches the 1975 Thanksgiving Day parade from 1 Times Square.Harry Hamburg / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
What’s Up, Doc?
A Bugs Bunny balloon is inflated on Central Park's Great Lawn in preparation for the character's first parade, in 1989.Monica Almeida / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
United They Stood
Two months after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, New York City's iconic parade recognized the tragedy in its 75th anniversary event. Above, firefighters and policemen who helped during the early stages of the recovery effort at Ground Zero carry an American flag through Times Square on Nov. 22, 2011.Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Floating Fine Art
In 2005, the parade introduced its Blue Sky Gallery series of balloons, featuring a design in balloon form by a different modern artist each year. Above, 2007's rabbit balloon by Jeff Koons floats in Times Square.Hiroko Masuike / Getty Images
Drawing a Crowd
Spectators watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2010.Chris Hondros / Getty Images
A Yearly Tradition
Despite a helium shortage that reduced the number of balloons in 2006, the variety of balloons has continued to grow, with new cartoon and pop-culture characters making their debuts every year. The parade now draws a television audience of more than 50 million viewers nationwide; more than 4,000 volunteers participate in the event.TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP / Getty Images
2011
The Snoopy the Flying Ace balloon floats down Central Park West during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York, November 24, .Gary Hershorn / Reuters
Fresh Air
Giant balloons made their debut in 1927. The floats featured contemporary characters and cartoonish creatures and were filled with helium. Notably, the organizers released the balloons and let them float above the city as part of the parade's grand finale; however, they did not anticipate that the balloons would burst soon after clearing the skyline. In this photo, a sea-serpent balloon descends upon crowds on Broadway and 56th Street during the 1937 parade.Walter Kelleher / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
Life During Wartime
A hippo and a clown pass by the west side of Central Park during the 1941 parade. The parade would take a hiatus from 1942-44 during World War II. Because of helium and rubber shortages, balloons were deflated and donated to the government for the war effort.NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
On the Streets
A clown shakes hands with kids at 63rd Street as they watch the 1946 parade, the first to be televised locally. A year later, the parade would be broadcast to a national audience.Klein / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
Mighty Mouse
At the 1951 parade, a balloon floats over a crowd of nearly 400,000.Nick Petersen / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
Starstruck
Cultural icons, musicians and actors have a long history in the parade, lending their attention-grabbing presence to many of the floats. Here, actress Ginger Rogers rides atop a float covered in flowers in 1958.Hal Mathewson / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
The Bands Play On
Since its inception, the parade has featured marching bands; as it has grown, performances by university ensembles and even high school bands have been featured alongside professional marching bands. Above, an all-female marching band, backed by a float commemorating landmarks in New York City history, joins the parade in 1961.Archive Photos / Getty Images
A Leg Up
New York's Radio City Rockettes, now a holiday staple, march in the 1966 parade.Paul DeMaria / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
Vocal Participants
Macy's parades also feature vocal and dance performances. Here, singer Diana Ross greets the crowd at the 53rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from atop the Daily News' Big Apple float in 1979.Harry Hamburg / NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
