Floats, Family, and the First Sip of Coffee

 

The Macy's Day Parade is turning 99 this year and it has been a part of my family's Thanksgiving tradition for as long as I can remember. It first aired on television in 1952, and for me, waking up to watch it was more thrilling than Christmas morning. I know that sounds crazy, but I’m not alone—nearly 50 million people tune in each year. It’s a big deal.

For years, one of the top items on my bucket list was to see the parade live, seated right in front of Macy’s. But there was a small complication: my dad was a buyer for Gimbels. If you grew up in New York, you’ll understand—there was a fierce rivalry between the two department stores. I wasn’t allowed to shop at Macy’s. 😔

Even after my dad left Gimbels, after what felt like eons, and Gimbel's closed its doors, I couldn’t bring myself to cross that threshold. Old loyalties die hard. Funny twist, though: my next-door neighbor’s dad worked for Macy’s. She was one of the lucky ones who got to sit in the grandstand and watch the parade in person. Who knows how many times I caught a glimpse of her on TV as the camera panned the crowd?

The parade started in 1924 and was conceived by the employees of Macy's to celebrate the opening of the Macy's flagship store on 34th street. the inspiration for the parade was drawn from European carnival with floats and marchers in costume.  It also featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo.  (Those poor animals!) Inspired by European carnivals, the first parade featured floats, costumed marchers, and—believe it or not—live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. (Those poor animals!)

Thankfully, in 1927, the parade traded lions and tigers for giant helium balloons. These whimsical giants brought joy to generations of children—but they weren’t without their mishaps. One of the most infamous? Barney the Dinosaur.

Barney debuted in the 1994 parade and floated along happily for a few years. But in 1997, high winds turned the parade into a balloon battleground. Several characters were damaged, and poor Barney was among them. To prevent further danger, NYPD officers had to forcibly deflate him—live on television.

By then, my daughter was five, and watching the parade had become our shared tradition. So when Barney went down, she was heartbroken. Watching her beloved purple dinosaur get ripped apart on live TV? Traumatizing.

While balloons are fun, my favorite parts of the parade are the Broadway performances, the high school marching bands, and—of course—the amazing Radio City Rockettes. They bring the sparkle, the rhythm, and the heart of New York right into our living rooms.

For my family, the Macy’s Parade has always been a cozy ritual—watched in pajamas with coffee and cinnamon rolls, it’s a moment of stillness before the bustle, a visual feast that anchors memory and tradition. 

This year will be no exception.  The Keurig is primed and ready to go and of course there will be cinnamon buns.