Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Starts in Hoboken, New Jersey

November 23, 2009 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Vetting explained

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Last updated: November 23, 2009

CNN producer note

JoyfulGypsy was granted access Monday inside the New Jersey warehouse where the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade floats and balloons are held. She was not able to take photos inside the complex, but did speak to a worker there.
- katie, CNN iReport producer

iReport —

Hidden inside a very Willy Wonka-esque former Tootsie Roll factory in a top secret, nondescript warehouse (except for the vague sign and model balloon at a hidden side door) in uptown Hoboken, New Jersey, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade floats come to life.

This large warehouse is used to create the newest floats, or build updated additions to old floats. The studio has 24 full-time employees and 28 part-time employees. I was lucky enough to meet one of these employees in the parking lot outside the warehouse. I wasn't allowed to take any photos inside the warehouse and he didn't want his name revealed, but he told me that this year the crew has been working on five new floats, one of which is the first new Santa float in over 20 years! The three-piece giant float depicts Santa Claus leaving his home to embark on his Christmas mission. It includes two houses (one of which is Santa’s), a North Pole, and Santa’s reindeer and sleigh flying over the scene. Santa’s house even has a balcony where Mrs. Claus waves goodbye to her jolly husband.

He also said that each float, once assembled, must be disassembled, folded up, and stored until the eve of the parade. Although some floats are three and a half stories high, they must be able to fit out of the standard-size loading bay and travel through the Lincoln Tunnel into New York City. Apparently, there is a whole lot of engineering involved. A crew of over 300 people are needed the night before the parade to reassemble and prepare the floats.

A 78-foot-long Spiderman, a gigantic Buzz Lightyear, and a blimp-like Flying Ace Snoopy balloon are all prepped here to make the procession past Central Park, through Times Square, and down the Avenue of the Americas for more than 3.5 million street-side viewers on Thanksgiving Day. That’s not to mention another 50 million people watching at home!

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a national icon ever since its inception in 1924. Back then, it was called the Macy’s Christmas Parade even though it was held on Thanksgiving Day. This year, the parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009.

There are more than 8,000 participants in the parade, including balloon handlers, float escorts, clowns, marching bands, cheerleaders, dance groups, and other performers. However, the staff in the Hoboken warehouse studio work all year to make sure the floats shine and the balloons float.

The 2.6-mile parade route will bypass Broadway for the very first time in its history this year. After 82 years the Parade will be moving from Broadway to a new route along 7th Ave. It will bypass Broadway from 58th to 34th including TImes Square. The Parade begins at 77th Street & Central Park West and will march south on Central Park West. At Columbus Circle, the Parade will then turn EAST onto Central Park South instead of heading down Broadway. When the Parade reaches 7th Avenue, it will turn South at the corner of Central Park South and march to 42nd Street. The Parade will then travel east along 42nd Street from 7th to 6th Avenues. At 6th (Avenue of the Americas), it will veer South to 34th Street. At 34th Street it will head West to Macy's Herald Square and end at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue at around noon.

The parade will include 24 floats, 50 balloons, 10 marching bands, and 800 clowns.

I was fortunate enough to be taken inside the mysterious warehouse for a peek at the floats. All I can say is that you will not want to miss this year's parade. The floats will be absolutely amazing!

I will be reporting from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. I have my cameras ready and I look forward to bringing you lots of fun, colorful pictures - so stay tuned. :o)

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