Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons Take Test Flight At Citi Field
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The balloons that will be flown during the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took a test flight at Citi Field on Saturday.
Five new balloons are being added this year, and the parade's first-ever balloon star Felix the Cat is making a return appearance. It was designed and built using the same methods as in 1920.
"If we need to do any adjustments, such as moving a line, this is the opportunity for our pilots and captains to see all of that and evaluate it. And then we'll have it set for the parade," John Piper with Macy's Parade Studio told 1010 WINS' Roger Stern.
It also served as an opportunity for the balloon handlers to practice.
"Just got to hold on to the tension and be aware of what you're doing," one said.
Nearly 2,000 handlers will take part in the parade, with roughly 70 assigned to each balloon.
Mike Baumrind became a balloon pilot after spending 10 years volunteering. Now, he supervises the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" balloon, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.
Among those on the receiving end of Baumrind's orders are his daughter Jillian and three sons who will fly in from Canada for the parade.
"You don't necessarily want to be the one instructing them, or yelling at them, or telling them 'no, you can't do this.' So it's going to be a challenge for me," he said.
Regardless, his daughter looks forward to getting things off the ground.
"It's pretty amazing," Jillian said. "Definitely different that what I thought. It's awesome."
