Every November, millions of families tune in to one of the most iconic American traditions: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Before the parade happened, excitement was building, both across the countries and here at Skyline. From extremely large balloons to Broadway performances, the parade has become a holiday staple that people look forward to year after year.
The tradition dates back to 1924, when Macy’s hosted its first parade to celebrate the start of the holiday shopping season. What began as a small event featuring animals from the Central Park Zoo has now grown into a massive production with floats, marching bands, celebrities, and those famous helium-balloon characters floating between skyscrapers. Despite all the changes, the parade continues to keep its cozy and nostalgic feel.
For many students, watching the parade is a moment of familial connection. “My family turns it on every year while we’re cooking,” said senior Sophia J.. “It’s one of the only times everyone’s in the same room and actually relaxed. It really feels like the holidays.”
Others tune in for the performances and creativity displayed. “The balloons and floats are always cool to look at,” shared senior Emerson H. “It’s cool seeing how much work goes into making this really fun parade.”
My favorite part of the parade was the Rockettes since I love their synchronized dancing and their impressive kicks along with it being their 100th anniversary.
Whether you watched the whole event or just caught a few clips on social media, the Macy’s Parade continue to bring a sense of warmth, creativity, and community to Thanksgiving.
