The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is coming up, and it's kind of a big deal. Like, more than 3.5 million people come to watch in person and 50 million people watch on TV kind of big deal.
It's so high profile, in fact, that you should probably check it out at least once, even if you just go to drink at the bars surrounding the parade's route.
This year's performances include a lot of insane talent from the likes Jordin Sparks, Train, Trey Songz, Pat Benatar and Andra Day; if nothing else, it might be worth tuning in just to witness their radiance.
The parade's got a vibrant history too, which makes sense, since it's been the official start to the start of the holiday season in NYC since 1924. Maybe we're telling you things you already knew.
Want to know some stuff you probably didn't already know? Read on to learn some facts about the famed, traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade that are wild indeed.
1. It used to be called the "Macy's Christmas Parade"
Yup, when the parade started in 1924, it was titled the "Macy's Christmas Parade." It changed a few years later to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Phew! First of all, Thanksgiving is for all Americans and Christmas is ... less so. Second of all, the parade is on Thanksgiving, so we think the current name is just much more fitting.
2. From 1924 to 1927, the parade used real animals
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What animals? Great question. For those first three years of the parade's existence, its procession included lions, bears, tigers, camels, goats, elephants, and donkeys.
As you might have guessed, those animals got tired from the long walk, especially because A) they're used to being confined in small spaces and B) the parade used to be six miles long.
So, not surprisingly, the real animals were replaced with balloon animals in 1927. The parade was also shortened to its current length of 2.5 miles.
3. During the years of 1929 to 1931, the balloons were released at the end of the parade
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Those lucky ducks who found the balloons could bring them back to Macy's for a $50 gift certificate. Perfect for holiday shopping!
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This aspect of the parade ended when a balloon got caught in a plane's propeller while a pilot was trying to catch it.
,4. The parade's only been cancelled three times
littleworldecc LWECC los invita a que mañana, JUEVES, 26 DE NOVIEMBRE, sintonicen vÃa televisión el tradicional desfile anual, "THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE", patrocinado por las Tiendas "MACY'S". El desfile será transmitido por la Cadena de Televisión Norteamericana NBC ( Cable Tevisat - Canal 29 ) a las 8:00 a.m. Es una bonita oportunidad para compartir y disfrutar junto a sus niños la celebración de Acción de Gracias y el inicio de la Temporada Navideña. No te lo pierdas. #macysthanksgivingdayparade #Thanksgiving #parade #Floats #balloons #fun #family
This year is the 89th anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which has run every year since 1924 except for three.
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It was canceled in 1942, 1943, and 1944 because of World War II.
5. The parade's got some really nutty balloons
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In 2004, Macy's introduced a parade innovated titled the "balloonicle," which is a combination of a cold-air balloon and a self propelled vehicle.
The "balloonicle" isn't the only crazy parade invention, neither is the parade's ultra-sized Buzz Lightyear.
In 2011, the parade's designers created the "trycaloon," a balloon that's part tricycle.
6. It takes a lot to put the parade on
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Ever since the balloons began in 1927, there have been 171 giant character balloons in the parade.
This year's parade will feature 17 giant character balloons, 24 balloonicles, balloonheads and trycaloons, 27 floats, 12 marching band members, 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, and more than 1,000 clowns.
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So we guess if you're scared clowns you should stay far, far away?
Making their balloon debut at this year's parade include Red from the Angry Birds game, DINO, Sinclair Oil Corporation's mascot, Scrat from Ice Age, and Ronald McDonald.
Check out For Anyone Going to the Parade, Keep This Map Handy.
[via NBC] [Feature Image Courtesy MyModernMet.com]