Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2010 (84th Annual) Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which takes place on Thursday, November 25, 2010 from 9am to 12pm:

“The 84th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® Returns To Kick Off The Magical Holiday Season With Its Giant Helium Balloons, Floats Of Fancy, Marching Bands, Celebrities, Performance Groups And The One-And-Only Santa Claus

A star-studded cast joins Macy’s to celebrate the holidays including India Arie, Big Time Rush, Betty Buckley, Ann Hampton Callaway, the casts of Broadway’s American Idiot, Elf, Memphis and Million Dollar Quartet, the Big Apple Circus, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Miranda Cosgrove, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Gloriana, Michael Grimm, Arlo Guthrie, Keri Hilson, Eric Hutchinson, Juanes, Victoria Justice, Gladys Knight, Mannheim Steamroller, Kylie Minogue, Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, Power Rangers Samurai, Joan and Melissa Rivers, Crystal Shawanda, Jessica Simpson and Kanye West

2010 Parade Route To Once Again Travel Down 7th And 6th Avenues To Macy’s Herald Square.

The nation’s most cherished procession returns once more for a dazzling dose of spectacle, enchantment and tradition as the 84th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® kicks off the holiday season. On Thursday, Nov 25, 2010 at 9 a.m., the world will rejoice as the march begins at the sound of “Let’s Have A Parade™!” With more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets of New York City and more than 50 million viewers tuning in nationwide, America’s Parade will present its signature giant helium balloons, fantastic floats, marching bands, performers, clowns, and the one-and-only Santa Claus. It’s a spectacular line-up that is more than 8,000 magic-makers strong!

Since 1924, the merry magic of Macy’s has been on display for generations to enjoy and cherish. Started by a small group of dedicated employees who gathered to celebrate freedom and give thanks with band instruments and clown makeup, the Parade to this day is the greatest volunteer effort Macy’s gives to the nation. From clowns to balloon handlers and a slew of behind-the-scenes jobs, the Macy’s Parade is a labor of love for all those who continue to gather on Thanksgiving Day. While every job is important, no one position can quite compare to that of executive producer.

This role is the famed ringleader of the troupe that marshals the cavalcade down the route each year. Immortalized by Maureen O’Hara in the famed holiday classic “Miracle on 34th Street,” this integral role has been occupied by only a handful of people in the Parade’s 84-year history. The current “Top Hat” is worn by Robin Hall, who this year marks a handover of the greatest job on the planet to Amy Kule, Macy’s gvp of National Events, who is assuming the role of executive producer.

“Since 2001, it has been my great privilege to lead America’s most fabled Parade down it’s storied route,” said Robin Hall, svp of Macy’s Parade & Entertainment Group. “I have decided this year will be my 10th and final march, as I proudly pass the mantle of executive producer to Amy Kule, my able and very talented colleague who has been here to support me from my very first year.”

Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, commented, “I’m honored to follow in Robin Hall’s incredible footsteps. He’s lead this iconic event with grace for an amazing 10 years and I promise to preserve its grand tradition. With an outstanding team and a passionate and dedicated group of volunteers, we’ll proudly march the Parade into the future for generations to come.” She added, “Our 84th Macy’s Parade will once again entertain an entire nation with a fantastic pageant filled with the most popular giant character helium balloons, awe-inspiring floats, the nation’s best marching bands, and a dazzling array of other elements that will enchant millions of Parade fans everywhere.”

For 2010, the Macy’s Parade will once again follow a route first taken last year as the procession winds down to Macy’s Herald Square. Beginning at 77th Street and Central Park West, the Parade will travel south to Columbus Circle, turn onto Central Park South before making a right turn to march down 7th Avenue to 42nd Street. The Parade will then turn east towards 6th Avenue where it will march down the Avenue of the Americas. At 34th Street, the Parade will make its final turn west marching in front of Macy’s Herald Square. The Parade will step off promptly at 9 a.m. and end at noon.

The 84th edition of the Parade of whimsy features 15 giant character balloons; 43 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonicles and balloonheads; 27 floats; 1,600 cheerleaders, dancers and performance group members; 800 clowns; 12 marching bands; and a host of celebrity performers.

A Ballooning Spectacle

The sky above Manhattan will once again be a canvas on which the most popular characters in the world take flight on Thanksgiving Day. Since 1927 when Felix the Cat was first inflated and added to the procession, the Parade’s giant character balloons have wowed generations with their high-flying bigger-than-life proportions. Joining the lineup of iconic characters this year are two new helium giants, Diary of A Wimpy Kid and Kung Fu Panda™.

Also joining the balloon procession this year is the Parade’s latest acquisition for its “Blue Sky Gallery” – Takashi Murakami’s rambunctious duo Kaikai and Kiki. The airborne gallery features inflatable versions of famed artistic works. With these balloons, Murakami joins Tom Otterness, Jeff Koons and Keith Haring in the lineup of artists that have contributed works to the Parade. In addition to these twin balloons, the Macy’s Parade will debut a new balloonicle of the very sporty Kool-Aid® Man. Also making her debut is a balloon version of the animated Virginia O’Hanlon, the 8-year old girl who taught the world to believe when she wrote a letter to the editor that elicited the world-known response – “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.”

Rounding out the buoyant balloon lineup are returning favorites including Buzz Lightyear, Horton, Kermit the Frog, “Supercute” Hello Kitty®, Pikachu, Pillsbury Doughboy®, Ronald McDonald®, Sailor Mickey, Shrek™, Smurf, Snoopy as the Flying Ace, Spider-Man®, and SpongeBob SquarePants™.

Magical Floating Stages

Riding down the street on Thanksgiving Day will be the Parade’s fantastic lineup of floats that feature landscapes of fantasy. These moving stages transport millions of spectators on unexpected journeys. This year’s fleet includes 27 floats, seven of which are new. The rookies include the holiday quest on board Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure™; the dance party on Elves Raise the Roof; the scrumptious delights on board the Home Baked Goodness float; the historical significance of Mount Rushmore’s American Pride; the adorable traveling duck family of the On the Roll Again float; the icy beauty of the Snow Queen, and the legendary stage of the Top Hat! float.

The returning float roster includes 123 Sesame Street, Big Apple, Bountiful Harvest Cornucopia, Bridge To The Future, Castle of Dreams, International Cele-bear-ation Clock Tower, Jolly Polly Pirate Ship, Local Heroes Helping Everyday, Marion-Carol Showboat, Pep Rally, Santa’s Sleigh, Shine On, The Smurfs™, Santaland Express, Snoopy’s Doghouse, Statue of Liberty, Tom Turkey, The True Spirit of Thanksgiving, Winter Wonderland in Central Park and Woodland Family Gathering.

March to the Beat

The musical heart of the Parade comes from the jaw-dropping talents of its incredible marching bands. The bands pump up the volume and entertain the crowds with their musical and marching ability, setting the perfect rhythm for the start of the holiday season. Representing their home state and local community, the bands in the lineup are truly the best of the best. Striking a special note this year is Latin Marching Band “Pedro Molina” that will be making their New York debut straight from Guatemala. Ready to step to the beat are Blue Springs High School from Blue Springs, MO; Eastern High School from Middleton, KY; Grants Pass High School from Grants Pass, OR; Green Valley High School from Henderson, NV; Lassiter High School from Marietta, GA; Latin Marching Band “Pedro Molina” from Guatemala; Purdue University from West Lafayette, IN; University of Southern Mississippi from Hattiesburg, MS; Seminole High School from Seminole, FL; Waukesha North High School from Waukesha, WI; and Macy’s Great American Marching Band featuring students from all fifty states.

Dance, Jump, Sing

The Macy’s Parade would not be complete without a little razzle dazzle from some of the nation’s best performance groups. They add a dose of pomp and cheer, not to mention flips, dips, spins and vocal acrobatics. From cheerleaders to a Bollywood dance ensemble, this year’s Parade features a host of unique performers. Set to wow the crowds are performers from the Arya Dance Company, Big Apple Circus, Spirit of America Dance, Stage Door Manor, Stepper-ettes, Tap City Youth Ensemble, US Pizza Team, Varsity Spirit Cheer and The Young Americans.

Magical Stars

Ready to entertain millions in the Parade of magic are stars from music, stage, and screen who will perform for the nation at Macy’s famed red star mark on 34th Street. Stars joining the festivities this year include India Arie, Big Time Rush, Betty Buckley, Ann Hampton Callaway, the Big Apple Circus, Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Miranda Cosgrove, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Gloriana, Michael Grimm, Arlo Guthrie, Keri Hilson, Eric Hutchinson, Juanes, Victoria Justice, Gladys Knight, Mannheim Steamroller, Kylie Minogue, Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, The Power Rangers Samurai, Joan and Melissa Rivers, Crystal Shawanda, Jessica Simpson and Kanye West.
A Must See

A nationwide star, the national broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC is one of the nation’s most viewed events. Millions of families tune-in from coast-to-coast to watch the telecast hosted by TODAY’s Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Al Roker. Airing from 9 a.m. to noon in each of the four time zones in the continental United States, the Thanksgiving Day star power extends to the exclusive performances of some of the hottest Broadway shows including American Idiot, Elf, and Memphis. In addition, the telecast will feature a special performance of NBC’s The Sing Along and the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® will return to kick start the holiday season.

A Holiday Treat for Children Everywhere, has been the motto of the Parade since the beginning, which is why the procession’s finale features the biggest star of all, Macy’s one-and-only Santa Claus. As his sleigh comes into view and the start of the holiday season is upon us, Santa wishes the nation a very Merry Christmas.

More information is available at www.macys.com/parade or via the Parade Hotline at (212) 494-4495.”

Source & Photos: Macy’s

Enjoy!

If you place an order for virtual office service online via our secure order form, please note that orders completed on a Holiday will be reviewed the following business day.

Make sure to check out our specials page for November’s NYC virtual office promotion.

Click here to chat with a Virtual Office Expert