By West Sider
Macy’s started holding a Christmas parade through the city in 1924, and switched it to a Thanksgiving parade three years later.
By the 1950s, there were all sorts of marching bands and balloons, and spectators on both sides of Central Park West. Alan H. Pesetsky sent these photos of the Thanksgiving parade in 1953.
I love seeing these old photos of the parade! Send some more! Everything was experienced in the moment, no technology. It was very special. Much Thanks.
Thank you Alan Pesetsky! We love the parade, and these photos are fantastic. Post more!
Police didn’t need barriers then.
Today everything is in play: barriers, shot spotters, helicopters, drones, ant terror group, even snipers.
My how we have progressed.
I was a Jr at Stuyvesant HS in 1953, I lived at 87th and Amsterdam Ave so no doubt I was somewhere in the crowd that day. I note how conservatively dressed everyone was then. I always wore a tie to school! Thanks for the great pictures, Alan.
LOTS OF FOND MEMORIES The parade started at 110 st in those days Not sure when it cut off to 77st, I lived on 87 and Columbus
Look at those well dressed children. They seem like they were part of another civilization.
They were a part of another civilization. They dressed up to go out. They dressed up to go on a plane. They did not car jacked. They did not smoke weed in the open. They were more respectful of their elders. There were roles to play and rules to follow. And, there was respect for country, flag and God.