The magic of the Macy's Thanksgiving parade -- the day before

NEW YORK -- The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is an annual spectacle. The floats, the music, the performances -- it’s enough to make almost anyone’s eyes light up with childlike wonder. 

“Sixty giant balloons, 35 small balloons, 26 floats, 1,000 clowns, 1,000 balloon handlers, 1,200 dancers and definitely endless fun,” said the executive producer of the parade, Amy Kule. 

But a lesser known part of the parade, the day before it, is often just as exciting -- because it is when the floats come to life. The floats are inflated on Manhattan’s Upper West Side by thousands of volunteers on Thanksgiving Eve. Colorful animals and cartoon characters slowly fill with air and rise into the sky.

The parade volunteers are often passionate -- and many have been participating in the event for years. 

“This is my 15th parade, I’ve been a volunteer for 15 years,” said volunteer Lou Nisivoccia to CBS News. “It’s a lot of fun.” 

According to Christine Olver, the national media relations manager for Macy’s, on any given year more than one million people are expected to come the day before the parade to watch the skies fill up with the floating characters. 

John Piper, the VP of the parade’s studio, is also passionate about his work and the talents of his staff. He said the Macy’s parade and the people that bring it to life are his family. 

“It’s the 90th parade, but will be my 36th,” said Piper. “I have the great honor and privilege of leading a team of artists and technicians and artisans, who design and build all of the balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”

But, even when pressed, Piper won’t choose a favorite balloon. 

“People ask me, what’s your favorite -- I don’t have a favorite balloon, I don’t have a favorite float... I like them all,” Piper said. 

He does have a favorite aspect of the parade, though. 

“The day after Thanksgiving, Macy’s caters a Thanksgiving dinner for the staff,” Piper said. “Saying grace for that meal and sitting down with my Macy’s family -- that’s my favorite.”