Photograph from the very first Macy's parade ever -- originally called the Macy's Christmas Parade -- featuring real animals from the zoo in 1924. (Photo credit: Macy's)
1st Parade Ad 1924
An advertisement for Macy's first parade, the Macy's Christmas Parade in 1924. (Photo credit: Macy's)
Balloonatics Float 1926
This vintage photo shows the Balloonatics float from the 1926 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float was created by Tony Sarg, a designer for Macy's window, and it went on to inspire the floats we see today in the annual parade. (Photo credit: Macy's)
Daschund balloon 1929
Edmund Gwenn as Santa in the 1946 Parade
Edmund Gwenn poses as Santa in the 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while filming Miracle on 34th Street. (Photo credit: Macy's)
Felix the Cat- 1st Parade balloon in 1927
Remember "Felix the Cat?" Felix was the first balloon ever to be featured in the 1927 parade, replacing the live animals that were used in the previous parades. (Photo credit: Macy's)
Flying Ace Snoopy 1968
"Snoopy" has come to be one of the most popular, if not the most famous float to ever be featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Here's a look at the loveable "Peanuts" character i nthe 1968 parade. (Photo credit: Macy's)
Scooby Doo Float
Mickey Mouse- Classic character 1960's
Mickey Mouse made his debut in the 1934 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Here's a look at the famous Disney character in the 1960's. (Photo credit: Macy's)
Spider-Man 1991
Spider-Man has always been one of the big crowd pleasers, first showing up in 1987. Here he peers down at the crowd in 1991. (Photo credit; Macy's)
SpongeBob SquarePants- Macy's Parade's first square shaped balloon
SpongeBob SquarePants would go on to become the parade's first-ever square-shaped balloon, making his debut in 2004. (Photo credit: Macy's)
The Macy's Parade's biggest star: Santa Claus
Of course, no bigger star at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the one and only Santa Claus, the grand finale who arrives in New York City ready to take on the wish lists of all the well-behaved children. (Photo credit: Macy's)
75th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Singer Tony Bennett participates in the 75th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade November 22, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by George De Sota/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Johnny Neutron balllon floats through Times Square during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade November 22, 2001, in New York City. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Big Bird balloon floats down Central Park West during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade November 22, 2001, in New York City. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani waves from his float during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade November 22, 2001, in New York City. Giuliani, whose term ends in about a month, is enjoying massive popularity for his performance in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
A Sikh parade-watcher waves patriotic paraphernalia during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade November 22, 2001, in New York City. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
A firefighter ballon floats down Broadway during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade November 22, 2001, in New York City. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Honey Nut Cheerios Bee balloon moves through Times Square in New York during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1999. The Honey Nut Cheerios Bee is one of three new balloons this year. (Photo credit DOUG KANTER/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Millenium Snoopy moves into Times Square behind Cloe the Clown and the Macy's Star Balloon in New York during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 1999. The Millenium Snoopy is one of three new balloons this year. (Photo credit DOUG KANTER/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Honey Nut Cheerios Bee balloon stares out at the thousands lining Broadway in New York during the 73rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 1999. The Honey Nut Cheerios Bee is one of three new balloons this year. (Photo credit DOUG KANTER/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Workers inflate the Ronald McDonald Balloon during a test flight in November 2000, at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey in preparation for the 74th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2000. Ronald McDonald himself made his first-ever national television appearance during the 1966 telecast of the Parade. During this year's Parade, Ronald accompanied his balloon riding in his distinctively shaped Big Red Shoe car. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: A helium-filled balloon of Disney character Goofy makes its way down Broadway November 26, 1992. Goofy was the new balloon among 16 in the 66th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo credit DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: The "Arthur" balloon is kept close to the ground as it makes its way down Broadway 26 November in New York during the 72nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1998. Under new safety rules implemented since a spectator was struck and injured by a lamppost that was hit by a balloon at last year's parade, balloons were smaller and held under stricter control. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Nickelodeon's Rugrats balloon (L) makes its way down Broadway 26 November in New York during the 72nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1998. Cartoon Network's Dexter balloon (R) follows as a steady rain fell throughout the parade. High winds prevented several of the balloons from participating under new safety rules implemented since a spectator was struck and injured by a lamppost that was hit by a balloon at last year's parade. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Universal Pictures' "Babe" balloon makes its way down Broadway 26 November in New York during the 72nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1998. A steady rain fell thoughout the parade. High winds prevented several of the balloons from participating under new safety rules implemented since a spectator was struck and injured by a lamppost that was hit by a balloon at last year's parade. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Members of the Universal Cheer & Dance Association make their way down Broadway 26 November in New York during the 72nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1998. The cheerleaders wore clear jackets as a steady rain fell throughout the parade. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: The Spiderman balloon is steered down Broadway into Times Square in New York on November 27, 1997 as part of the 71st annual Macy's Thanksgiving day parade. Some seventeen big balloons joined with marching bands and clowns in the annual celebration of the holiday. (Photo credit JON LEVY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: New York City Police rush to the aid of the Pink Panther balloon as it collapses after being blown over due to high winds 27 November at the 71st annual Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York in 1997. High winds gusting up to 45mph made conditions difficult for the huge helium balloons and most were kept on short ropes. (Photo credit JON LEVY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1997
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Spectators on the balcony of a building in New York's Times Square watch as the Pink Panther balloon floats by during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 28 November. This is the 70th anniversary of the event. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1996
The balloon of the cartoon characters Rocket J. Squirrel (Rocky) and Bullwinkle the moose floats down Broadway in New York followed by marching bands and other balloons during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 1996. This is the 70th anniversary of the annual event. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1996
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Marchers from the Universal Cheer and Dance Association pass by the crowd in New York's Times Square watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade November 28, 1996. This is the 70th anniversary of the annual event. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2001
Leading off the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Statue of Liberty float followed by Macy's Toy Soldier in November 2001, in New York's Times Square. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the 75th annual Macy's Thanksiving Day parade, an extravaganza of giant balloons and marching bands with an added touch of patriotism. The parade features 15 large balloons and numerous floats and bands. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2001
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers carry two US flags during the 75th Anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade November 22, 2001, in New York's Times Square. The NYPD was honoring those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the 75th annual Macy's Thanksiving Day parade, an extravaganza of 15 giant balloons and marching bands with an added touch of patriotism. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2001
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: The "Pikachu" balloon sponsored by The Pokemon Company floats down Broadway during the 75th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade November 22, 2001 in New York. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, an extravaganza of 15 giant balloons and marching bands with an added touch of patriotism. (Photo credit STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2000
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 23: The Blue Float moves through Times Square in New York during the 74th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2000. Fourteen marching bands, several dozen floats and a dozen balloons braved the cold weather for the annual event. (Photo credit TEDDY BLACKBURN/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2000
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 23: The Bullwinkle the Moose balloon moves through Times Square in New York November 23, 2000 during the 74th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Fourteen marching bands, several dozen floats and a dozen balloons braved the cold weather for the annual event. (Photo credit TEDDY BLACKBURN/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2000
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 23: The Ask.com Jeeves balloon moves through Times Square in New York November 23, 2000 during the 74th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Fourteen marching bands, several dozen floats and a dozen balloons braved the cold weather for the annual event. (Photo credit TEDDY BLACKBURN/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2000
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 23: Bandleader Mickey Mouse moves through Times Square in New York November 23, 2000 during the 74th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Fourteen marching bands, several dozen floats and a dozen balloons braved the cold weather for the annual event. (Photo credit TEDDY BLACKBURN/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1995
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 23: Handlers pull the Betty Boop balloon past Macy's department store (L), with the Empire State building in the background, 23 November during the 69th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York in 1995. Some 2 million people are estimated to attend the traditional parade of balloons and marching bands. (Photo credit JON LEVY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1993
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 25: Izzy, the mascot for the 1996 Summer Olympics to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, makes his first appearance in the 67th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York on November 25, 1993. Thousands of people turned out in chilly weather to watch the event. (Photo credit BOB STRONG/AFP/Getty Images)
The 77th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 27: Santa Claus participates in the The 77th Annual Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade November 27, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)
The 77th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 27: New "Strike-Up the Band" Barney balloon at the 77th Annual Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade November 27, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)
The 77th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 27: New Super Grover Balloon participates in The 77th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)
The 77th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York
NEW YORK - November 27, 2003 - A Mr. Monopoly balloon crossing 36th street and 7th avenue after completing the Thanksgiving Day parade. Photo by Joe Kohen/Getty Images.
The 77th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York
New York, NOVEMBER 27, 2003. A Big Bird balloon floating above a "NYPD emergency service unit" officer, at the Thanksgiving Day parade, passing Time Square at 42nd street. Photo by Joe Kohen/Getty Images.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Charlie Brown makes his way through Times Sqaure during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York November 25, 2004. The parade features 59 baloons and 27 floats. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: The Monopoly Man balloon makes his way through Times Sqaure during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 25, 2004. The parade features 59 balloons and 27 floats. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Russell Greller of Levitown, New York, proposes to his fiance Sarah Dowling in the middle of Times Square before the start of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 25, 2004. The parade features 59 balloons and 27 floats. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: An Uncle Sam balloon passes by a spectator as she watches from her appartment in Times Square during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 25, 2004. The parade features 59 balloons and 27 floats. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Grover, from Sesame Street, makes his way through Times Sqaure during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 25, 2004. The parade features 59 baloons and 27 floats. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2004
This November 25, 2004 file photo shows SpongeBob SquarePants during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York, UNITED STATES: Chicken Little floats down Broadway during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 24, 2005. The 79th Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade started on schedule amid concerns that windy weather might ground the famous balloons. The parade, which has been an annual event since 1924, is expected to draw an estimated 2.5 million spectators and 44 million television viewers, according the retail store. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York, UNITED STATES: Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer floats down Broadway during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 24, 2005. The 79th Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade started on schedule amid concerns that windy weather might ground the famous balloons. The parade, which has been an annual event since 1924, is expected to draw an estimated 2.5 million spectators and 44 million television viewers, according the retail store. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving
New York, UNITED STATES: A man dressed as George Washington waves to the crowd as he walks down Broadway during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 24, 2005. The 79th Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade started on schedule amid concerns that windy weather might ground the famous balloons. The parade, which has been an annual event since 1924, is expected to draw an estimated 2.5 million spectators and 44 million television viewers, according the retail store. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Celebrates Its 80th Year
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: The Snoopy balloon makes its way through Columbus Circle during the 80th Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, November 23, 2006 in New York City. Due to the weather conditions, the balloons were flown much lower than normal to avoid any mishaps. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Celebrates Its 80th Year
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: The Scooby-Doo balloon makes its way down a rainy Broadway during the 80th Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, November 23, 2006 in New York City. Due to the weather conditions, the balloons were flown much lower than normal to avoid any mishaps. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)
Crowds Gather For Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: The Mr. Potato balloon floats during the 81st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at Times Square in New York City, November 22, 2007. (Photo by Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images)
Crowds Gather For Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: The Shrek balloon floats during the 81st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, November 22, 2007. (Photo by Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images)
Crowds Gather For Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: The Rabit balloon by artist Jeff Koons floats in Times Square during the 81st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, November 22, 2007. (Photo by Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images)
Crowds Gather For Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: The Dora the Explorer and Mr. Potato Head balloons float at Times Square during the 81st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2007, in New York City. (Photo by Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images)
Crowds Gather For Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: The Shrek balloon floats during the 81st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2007, in New York City. (Photo by Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images)
Floats, Balloons Prepped For Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Kermit the Frog float gets prepped for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2009. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Crowds Gather For New York's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: An elf balloon passes an onlooker on his balcony during the 83rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on the Streets of Manhattan on November 26, 2009 in New York City. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in Canada and the United States and traditionally it is a time to give thanks for the harvest. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Photograph of the Bart Simpson float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1990. (Photo credit: AP)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Photograph of the Goofy float in the1992 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo credit: AP)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
This vintage shot shows the first ever Mickey Mouse balloon that made its debut in the 1934 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo credit: AP)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Photograph of the Pink Panther float in the 1988 Macy's Thanksiving Day Parade. (Photo credit: AP)
