Photo credit: bookriot.com

Celebrating a Century of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which first took place in 1924. Although the parade has not been held every year due to interruptions like World War II, this milestone is still significant. While my personal views on Thanksgiving have evolved over the years, the parade remains a cherished tradition, showcasing a dazzling array of floats and performances. Today, let’s explore the superhero-themed balloons that have flown through the skies of New York in November.

Superheroes Take Flight

The inaugural superhero balloon was Superman, introduced in 1940. After his debut, the iconic character wouldn’t make another appearance until 1966. This intriguing tidbit comes not only from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Fandom page but also from a memorable episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E., which featured footage of that year’s parade, highlighting not just Superman but also the Underdog balloon.

In the intervening years, Mighty Mouse, a beloved cartoon character, made his appearance in 1951, followed by the endearing Underdog in 1965. It wasn’t until 20 years later that Spider-Man graced the balloon lineup, making history as the first Marvel character to join the festivities in 1987. Following him, audiences enjoyed characters like Sonic the Hedgehog in 1993, Super Grover in 2003, a superhero rendition of Hello Kitty in 2007, the Red Power Ranger in 2014, and Red Titan in 2020.

Familiar Faces Return

As parade enthusiasts know, many of these characters continue to make appearances, with some balloons being reimagined over the years. This year, Spider-Man is set for a transformation, reflecting the character’s enduring popularity. In contrast, Superman has not been seen since 1987, coincidentally the same year Spider-Man made his debut. The absence of Superman raises questions about the shifting preferences in parade balloon choices over the years.

Comics and Characters Beyond Superheroes

For those who may not identify with superheroes, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade offers plenty of comic-related attractions. The Peanuts gang, led by Snoopy, has been a prominent presence at almost every parade since 1968. However, their debut as balloon figures was not the earliest in the parade’s history.

The first comics-themed balloons appeared in 1929, featuring characters from The Katzenjammer Kids. The following year saw the introduction of now-obscure titles like Our Boarding House, Toonerville Folks, and Boob McNutt. Over the years, various Disney characters have also made their mark, particularly during the 1934 parade, where they had a significant presence, culminating in the upcoming debut of Minnie Mouse.

Other iconic characters such as Popeye in 1957 and Garfield throughout the 1980s and ’90s captivated audiences, while later entries included the Smurfs in 2008 and popular anime figures like Pikachu, Goku, and Monkey D. Luffy in more recent years.

A Time for Reflection