Macy’s First Thanksgiving Parade, 1924

Felix the Cat, The First Balloon in Macy’s Parade, 1927

On November 27, 1924, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving parade was held in New York City. Macy’s employees dressed in costumes and marched in the parade. There were floats, live animals, and professional bands. At the end of the parade, Santa Claus was welcomed and placed on his throne on the balcony at Macy’s 34^th Street entrance. The parade was such a success that Macy’s announced that it would be an annual event, and a Macy’s parade has been held every Thanksgiving since then, except during the World War II years. More than 44 million people watch the parade each year. I like the idea of a tradition that continues as something all of us can celebrate.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

~N