At the hotel we were told to move away from Herald’s Square to watch the parade because this area is blocked off for the NBC telecast and not accessible to the public. The grandstand seating you see on television is for Macy’s employees, family members and parade partners. In 1924, originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade, the Parade was started by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. It was such a success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event and today it takes 8,000 volunteers to put on the 2 1/2 mile parade.
On the Roll Again with Andra Day: With a vintage flair & voice for the ages, Andra Day has perfected her retro pop soul sound and is ready to share it. Her alluring powerful alto voice has inspired comparisons to Amy Winehouse & Adele. This family of ducks measures over 46 ft long.
Betty Cantrell 1st Miss Georgia to win Miss America since 1953, Aspires to help children. Currently a junior at Mercer University studying musical performance & has her eye on Broadway for the future.
3D calendar on 3 story float kicks off the holiday season w/ showcase of merry scenes behind each day. Mariah Carey Celebrates partnership w/ Hallmark Channel by performing on their float.
This float sets the scene for creative play & inventive wonder. The fence is made from Giant Popsicle sticks & crayons, the flowers are made of plates & bowls, the boat made like a giant newspaper hat.
At 52 ft long, 23 ft wide and 35 ft high, this grand ship is one of the longest, widest and tallest floats in the Parade. On board are jugglers, contortionist, acrobats, dancers trampolinists, a daring fire breather and the biggest bicycle in the world.
Castle featuring Build a Bear’s icon Bernard, serves as the centerpiece of this adventure themed float.Stars a friendly smoke breathing dragon climbing to see Princess Bear who shows crowd w/ confetti. Tea Party, trip to outer space by Astronaut bear.
Since 2006 the Grammy Award nominated multi-platinum quintet has headlined countless sold out shows in arenas worldwide. Chris Daughtry was on American Idol
Each time a float stopped in front of us we had to figure out who the celebrity was on the float. We did know a few but with 27 floats there were several we didn’t. Some times there were banners in front that said who the performer was. Other times we had to depend on Holan to tell us.
This year performers were Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Mariah Carey, Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson, Cirque du Soleil, Daughtry, Andra Day, Andy Grammer, Sandra Lee, Shawn Mendes, MercyMe, Mipso, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell, Jennifer Nettles, NHL legends Mark and Marty Howe, Jake Owen, Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T’s, Rachel Platten, Questlove with the cast and the Muppets of “Sesame Street,” Prince Royce, the cast of Broadway’s “School of Rock,” Trey Songz, Jordin Sparks, Chica and the gang from Sprout and Train.