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Throwback Thursday: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the 1970s and 80s

November 28, 2024 | 1:55 PM
in COLUMNS, HISTORY, NEWS
12

Photos by Stephen Harmon

Can you identify these cartoon figures that flew in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade back in the vanished days of the 1970s and 80s? Are any of them still flying?

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Adam T
Adam T
1 year ago

Is that Mr. Pitt with the Woody Woodpecker balloon?

10
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The W. 80th St. Block Association/Billy Amato, CMP
The W. 80th St. Block Association/Billy Amato, CMP
1 year ago

Hahaha! I remembered it all so well, Geeeeee, I knew it the day I left my home my home in Pelham Manor, New York after high school graduationI when I bought my brown brownstone October 15, 1968 that the UWS was going to be a gold mine for me in more ways than one. It’s great living here on the UWS, it’s like a little suburban city in its own.

1
Reply
Steevie
Steevie
1 year ago

In the Kermit the Frog picture, way back there is a lion balloon. Who is the lion?

0
Reply
Life-long Upper West Sider
Life-long Upper West Sider
1 year ago
Reply to  Steevie

Good question!

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
1 year ago
Reply to  Steevie

Linus the Lionhearted. : )

0
Reply
caly
caly
1 year ago
Reply to  Steevie

I didn’t recognize a couple of the balloons, so I looked it up.

https://macysthanksgiving.fandom.com/wiki/Linus_the_Lionhearted

Last edited 1 year ago by caly
2
Reply
Bob
Bob
1 year ago

I’ve been told (more than once) that those balloons generally don’t last more than 10 years (some probably less). Given constantly changing tastes and marketing needs, that’s probably a good thing.

My family moved to 81st Street between CPW and Columbus in 1967, so I got to see the preparation and parade up close, well before it became “a thing.” I recall 1967 was the final year for the Popeye balloon.

2
Reply
Susan
Susan
1 year ago

Snoopy, the longest runny balloon in the parade and deservedly so. But where is his friend Woodstock??? Thank you, Stephen. Another fabulous Throwback Thursday!

3
Reply
Yamo
Yamo
1 year ago

A great weekend to watch Miracle on 34th Street!

5
Reply
Frank Quinn
Frank Quinn
1 year ago

Woody Woodpecker, Olive Oil and Beatty Boop!

3
Reply
Rowland Hussey’s ghost
Rowland Hussey’s ghost
1 year ago

The parade was probably more enjoyable when Macy’s true colors were not showing.

3
Reply
Life-long Upper West Sider
Life-long Upper West Sider
1 year ago

Woody Woodpecker, Olive Oyl, Donald Duck,Betty Boop, Kermit the Frog,Mickey Mouse, Snoopy…

2
Reply

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