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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Is that Mr. Pitt with the Woody Woodpecker balloon?
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.
In the Kermit the Frog picture, way back there is a lion balloon. Who is the lion?
Good question!
Linus the Lionhearted. : )
I didn’t recognize a couple of the balloons, so I looked it up.
https://macysthanksgiving.fandom.com/wiki/Linus_the_Lionhearted
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.
Snoopy, the longest runny balloon in the parade and deservedly so. But where is his friend Woodstock??? Thank you, Stephen. Another fabulous Throwback Thursday!
A great weekend to watch Miracle on 34th Street!
Woody Woodpecker, Olive Oil and Beatty Boop!
The parade was probably more enjoyable when Macy’s true colors were not showing.
Woody Woodpecker, Olive Oyl, Donald Duck,Betty Boop, Kermit the Frog,Mickey Mouse, Snoopy…