19 Amazing Vintage Photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloons From the Early Days

   

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has been a tradition of Thankgiving for decades. It started out as a way for the employees of Macy’s to say thank you to New York. Macy’s started using balloons in their parade in 1927 and it has been tradition since. Here’s a collection of 19 amazing vintage photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloons from the early days.

Here's a floating dachshund. Image: Macy's Inc.
The only balloon to be modeled after a real person was this one, for entertainer Eddie Cantor. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

Father Knickerbocker floats through the streets. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

Ferdinand the Bull. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

A huge fish from 1938. Looks like something from a Guillermo del Toro movie. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

Gridiron glories have long been a Thanksgiving tradition. Here, a footballer makes a dash down a street. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

An early incarnation of Mickey Mouse. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

A pilgrim--firmly in the Thanksgiving spirit. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

Yarr--the pirate was a fan favorite in early years. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

A soldier. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

This spaceman was an early favorite--a relic of the space race era. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

This Christmas stocking offered floats within a float. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

Here, a dino, from 1963. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

Another shot from 1963. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

 
This shot reminds us that the early years overlapped with the golden age of airships--it's from 1930. The Hindenburg would crash 7 years later. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

 
A clown floats through New York City in the 1940 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

A clown, from 1938. Image: Macy's Inc.

 

This dachshund was a staple in early years. Image: Macy’s Inc.

 

Harold the Baseball Player, a representative for the national pastime. Image: Macy's Inc.


(via WIRED)