Macy's Toon Balloon-Abration! is a specialty float from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Macy's Toon Balloon-Abration! float made its first appearance in the 2001 Parade, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float, recycled from the Flights of Fancy float by Continental Airlines, travelled down the Parade route in colors of blue and gold to match with the theme of the event's diamond jubilee. At the top of the float, a gold-trimmed star reading "75 Parades" shoots across an archway. Serving as float escorts were the Birthday Clowns, who returned for the first time since 1998.
Bringing a wagon full of memories to Herald Square were characters who had once had balloon-ified versions of themselves grace the skies of Manhattan. Featured characters included the likes of Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny, BuzzBee, Cheesasarus Rex, Chuckie Finster, Dexter, Garfield, Jeeves, Jimmy Neutron, Kermit the Frog, Olive Oyl, Paddington Bear, Peter Rabbit, Pikachu, Pink Panther, Popeye, Quik Bunny, Raggedy Ann, Snoopy, Snuggle Bear, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tommy Pickles, and Underdog.
Due to the float being made for an anniversary, it was retired after only one appearance. It was refurbished into a stage for the Petacular Fair at the 2002 Macy's Flower Show, where the "75 Parades" logo was replaced by lettering that read "Petacular Fair." The former was on display in the Macy's Parade Studio from 2002 until 2010.
See also[]
- Macy's Toon Balloon-Abration!/Gallery
- Hats Off To Our Heritage, a similar float for the 85th anniversary.