On Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 9:00am at the sound of Let's Have a Parade, America's favorite holiday spectacular will step off with its signature giant helium balloons, floats of fantasy, marching bands, clowns, celebrity and large performance groups, and the one-and-only Santa Claus. This year, however, there will be a brand new parade route and some fantastic new balloons and floats.
The 2009 Macy's Parade will begin at 77th Street and Central Park West, travel down to Columbus Circle where it will turn onto Central Park South. Once the Parade reaches 7th Avenue it will turn once more and march down 7th Avenue through Times Square to 42nd Street.
The parade will then turn east to 6th Avenue and begin its final march down the Avenue of the Americas to 34th Street where it will turn towards Macy's famed flagship and end at 7th Avenue marking a 2.65-mile march.
Some of the new balloons featured in the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are:
The Pillsbury Dough Boy
At more than 63 times his traditional 8 3/4-inch size, the Doughboy balloon will measure 53.7 feet in length, 34.4 feet in width and will be 46.4 feet tall. This Doughboy will rise to the occasion filled with 12,280 cubic feet of helium.
Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald first made his Macy's Parade debut in 1966. For the 2009 parade, Ronald wears the world's largest pair of ice skates. Measuring 76.4 feet long, 28.8 feet wide and 48.6 feet tall, Ronald will be inflated with 13,650 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.
Sailor Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse, who just celebrated his 81st birthday on November 18, will salute the crowds in his nautically inspired red, white and blue sailor gear as he rides down the Parade route.
Sailing aboard an anchor that is approximately four times the size of an actual cruise ship anchor, Mickey measures 48.1-feet long, 33.6-feet wide and 60.9-feet tall. Sailor Mickey will be filled with 14,750 cubic feet of helium on his maiden voyage on Thanksgiving Day.
Spider Man
Marvel's Spider-Man, makes a big return to the skies over Manhattan sure to thrill "Spidey" fans. After a decade, the legendary crime-fighting web-slinger returns to the Parade line-up in celebration of Marvel's 70th Anniversary. Spider-Man made his Macy's Parade debut in 1987, becoming an instant classic.
The new, more modern and muscular Spidey is in full crawling mode with one hand set to release his web. On Parade day, the Spider-Man balloon will measure 78-feet long, 37.8-feet wide and 29.1-feet tall and will be filled with 11,800 cubic feet of helium.
The 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature several new floats and the all-time favorite, Santa Claus, will make his entrance in a brand new sleigh. This is the first time in more than 40 years that Santa has a new sleigh.
The North Pole is showcased by Santa's Toyshop home and by a giant ice and granite obelisk that is supported by ice sculptures of a Walrus and a Polar Bear. Santa's Sleigh is a gigantic float that measures 60-feet long, 22-feet wide and is 3 1/2 Stories tall.
The thrill of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is always best seen in person. However, if you can't make it to New York City to see the parade, it will be broadcast live on NBC at 9am on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009.
Written by Cheryl Phillips
Posted November 18th, 2009 by Cheryl Phillips
