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Back to To the Point

To the Point

The Tradition behind the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons

In 87 years of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade , bad weather's only grounded the giant balloons once -- in 1971. The giant balloons for tomorrow's parade have been crafted by 28 full-time workers at the Macy's Parade Studio in North Jersey and will be inflated tonight.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

In 87 years of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, bad weather's only grounded the giant balloons once -- in 1971. The giant balloons for tomorrow's parade have been crafted by 28 full-time workers at the Macy's Parade Studio in North Jersey and will be inflated tonight. The balloons that floated over the streets of New York City 80 years ago were nothing like these inflated billboards designed as commercials to be viewed by millions on TV. We hear more from Laura Petrecca, New York City Deputy Bureau Chief for USA Today, and Philip Bump, staff writer for TheWire.com.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Caitlin Shamberg

    KCRW

  • KCRW placeholder

    Christian Bordal

    Managing Producer, Greater LA

  • KCRW placeholder

    Lata Pandya

    Assistant Producer, To the Point/Which Way, LA?

  • KCRW placeholder

    Laura Petrecca

    USA Today

  • KCRW placeholder

    Philip Bump

    national political columnist, Washington Post

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