How Macy's Parade Balloons Come to Life Before Thanksgiving
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a festive tradition since 1924. One of its most popular pre-parade events, the Balloon Inflation Celebration, takes place the Wednesday before Thanksgiving outside the American Museum of Natural History. Crowds gather to watch giant character balloons come to life with helium.
The parade's balloons were first inflated at Macy's flagship store in Herald Square. By the 1930s, smaller ones were prepped the night before, while larger ones filled just hours before the march. In 1945, the inflation moved to the Upper West Side, where it remains today.
For decades, the process was private, but in 1994, longtime parade director Jean McFaddin opened it to the public. Now, visitors can watch beloved characters grow in size for free. The event runs from 1 pm to 6 pm, with fewer crowds in the early afternoon. However, more balloons appear later in the evening, drawing bigger crowds.
The Balloon Inflation Celebration stays free and open to all. Those who attend can see the parade's iconic figures take shape before the big day. The least busy time to visit is between 1 pm and 3 pm, though fewer balloons will be inflated then.
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