Let's Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy's Parades: And the Making of an American Holiday Tradition

Celebrate the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with this lavishly illustrated look at the history of the parade through 100 special performances, iconic balloons and floats, and treasured memories, as well as a peek behind the scenes to see how balloons are made, and so much more. Ready? Let’s have a parade.

On the morning of November 27, 1924, a group of Macy’s colleagues gathered at 145th Street in Harlem. Dressed in costumes and accompanied by animals from the Central Park Zoo, they marched down to the iconic Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street to welcome Santa and unveil the holiday windows. The event was such a success that it became an annual tradition and the tradition we know today was born.

Since 1924, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has grown into a world-famous event, reaching millions. The now-iconic giant balloons, festive floats, marching bands, and more provide a moment of celebration and togetherness. Whether watching in person or on television, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has created joyful memories across generations.

To celebrate the milestone of its 100th march, Let's Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy's Parades tells the story of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade through 100 of its most important milestones, memorable balloons, performances and special moments. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of photos and ephemera from Macy’s archives, see it all come to life-from early parades with zoo animals, to the first time Kermit flew down the Parade route, to the time Rick Astley rickrolled millions of Parade spectators . . . and of course, the tradition of Santa’s arrival.

Readers will find an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is handcrafted by artisans and production specialists at Macy’s Studios. From art conception, designing and construction of balloons and floats to insights from the magic-makers who bring Macy’s Parade to life every year. Packed with amusing stories, fascinating historical information such as a list of every balloon since their debut in 1927, and so much more, this is the perfect celebration of one of America’s most treasured holiday traditions.

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