Why I love this parade

By Alex P. Vidal

“If you’re not in the parade, you watch the parade. That’s life.” —Mike Ditka

I HAVE seen many parades these past years in Vancouver, Toronto, California, Washington DC, Texas, but nothing could match New York City’s annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a United States tradition that really draws spectators from around the world.

I became the parade’s admirer only two years after I decided to choose New York as my new residence.

When it comes to pomposity, number of giant floats, balloons and world-class performers, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a cut above the rest.

New York will rise again in this year’s parade after the horrible pandemic that sidelined too many big occasions.

Unlike in the previous years when I was away (either I was in New Jersey or in Virginia), I will be luckier once more as I will be near the parade route Thursday morning (I’ll be out from my graveyard shift early at 8 o’clock in the morning).

Never mind the freezing temperature; I’ll be there by hook or by crook.

Every year, except in 2020 when COVID-19 began to terrorize the world, dozens of giant balloons and iconic floats with stunning performances have been part of the magic every New Year’s Eve.

Last year’s event was a small pandemic occasion, located next to Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, Manhattan.

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The parade tomorrow (November 25) will start on the Upper West Side and head toward Central Park West, across Central Park South, and down Sixth Avenue before turning onto 34th Street to Macy’s on Broadway.

People have been wondering how many hours go into creating the show; how many people are involved in the parade; what’s the height of the tallest balloon; and how many gallons of paint are used in all the designs.

The last answer is 240 gallons, along with 375 brushes, according to a Marca report.

This year marks the parade’s 95^th year for the annual celebration that is famously recognized as the kick-off of the holiday season has been around for quite some time.

The first parade took place in 1924, and was cancelled during 1942, 1943 and 1944 due to World War II, added the Marca report.

Once again, giant character helium balloons will be featured this year.

The balloons-from big character balloons like Pillsbury Dough Boy, Snoopy, and Pikachu and newcomers Ada Twist, Scientist and Baby Yoda, aka Grogu, to the smaller holiday balloons-will be inflated on the Upper West Side early on Wednesday (November 24).

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The inflation will be reportedly open to the public between 12 and 6 p.m., and in addition to vaccinated guests, there will be capacity limits to ensure social distancing.

This year’s tallest balloon is 62 feet high (Diary of A Wimpy Kid), the longest balloon is 72 feet wide (Sinclair’s DINO), and the widest balloon is 37 feet thick (Tie: Funko’s Grogu and Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog).

The parade winds through the streets of Manhattan; it begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West and ends in front of the iconic Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street in Herald’s Square.

The path crosses Columbus Circle, Central Park South, and 6th Avenue.

Between two and three million people line the streets to watch the action.

There are reportedly 28 floats in all, and each is made up of hundreds of different scenic pieces and structural elements. However, the floats do not drive themselves, as they are towed by trucks driven by members of New York’s Theatrical Teamsters, Local 817.

According to Car and Driver, drivers must even wear a jacket and tie to the parade.

(The author, who is now based in the United States, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)