Photo: Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
The holiday season is taking shape in New York City as preparations for Macy’s 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade are underway. On Saturday (November 7), workers unveiled and tested new character balloons, including seven giant new additions, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Among the new balloons is Snoopy’s alter ego, Joe Cool, who will be sporting oversized sunglasses and a red sweater. The beloved Bluey, from the animated preschool TV series, will also make an appearance, donning a gold crown inspired by Christmas crackers.
The parade will feature 100 inflatables, a record for the event, and will include characters like Bullwinkle J. Moose, Olive Oyl, Popeye, Swee’Pea, and Sonic the Hedgehog. According to Will Coss, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, "Every year, we’ve got the great challenge and task, a beautiful opportunity to introduce brand new characters into the parade." He emphasized the importance of ensuring each balloon is immediately recognizable and impactful.
Other new balloons include Underdog, making its first appearance since 1984, Buckaroo Bob the Minion from the "Despicable Me" franchise, and Hello Kitty Big Apple. Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey will also join the lineup, marking the 21st appearance of a Mickey Mouse balloon in the parade. Additionally, bear Billie Brightpaw, an original Macy’s character, will be added to the group.
The parade, which marks its centennial this year, will be broadcast live on NBC and available to stream on Peacock. Macy’s is also celebrating with exclusive product collaborations and a commemorative book titled *Let's Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy’s Parades*. The event will feature a float honoring Tony Sarg, who helped create the original puppets and floats for the parade in the 1920s.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, a 76-foot Norway spruce weighing 11 tons, has also arrived in New York City. It will be decorated with 50,000 lights, and its televised lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 2.