Photographs from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, 1932 by Sachiko ClaytonNovember 26, 2008

Columbus Circle.], Digital ID 731233F, New York Public Library Check out more images here. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Those images are great! I

Submitted by Kerri (not verified) on November 26, 2008 - 6:12pm

Those images are great! I think my favorite is the alligator! :-)

fun images!

Submitted by greg hardin (not verified) on November 23, 2009 - 5:21pm

fun images!

Parades with Giant Floats

Submitted by (not verified) on March 23, 2010 - 11:23pm

When I was a kid in the 60's we used to go to what we called the "Macy's Day Parade." For a little kid it was such a thrill to look up and see the giant floats, 5 or 6 stories high. We had never seen anything like it before. I didn't realize the tradition went back to the 30's. Does anyone know the history of giant floats used in New York City parades? Thanks for sparking a vivid, long-ago memory!

Floats

Submitted by Sachiko Clayton on March 24, 2010 - 3:11pm

Glad you enjoyed the pictures! According to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, (http://catalog.nypl.org/record=b16013644~S1), the Macy's parade started as a Christmas Pageant in 1924. By 1927 they brought in large character floats. The first floats were inflated with air but by 1928 helium was used.

Floats

Submitted by (not verified) on March 28, 2010 - 9:09pm

Thanks for taking the time to provide the history. I found it interesting. Thanks!