The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a joyous tradition from 1924. It brings together families and communities to celebrate the holiday. While the parade symbolizes holiday joy, it is not immune to the unpredictability of the weather. Over the years, the Macy’s Parade has faced challenges and weather mishaps.
Over the years, the parade has never been fully canceled. While it has faced significant disruptions or adjustments, it has a long history of resilience. The organizers are deeply committed to ensuring the parade marches on.
For example, in 1927, the event was still evolving, and the balloons were a new addition. On Thanksgiving, the parade experienced a significant disruption due to an accident involving one of the giant balloons. A weather issue, such as a massive gust of wind, caused the “Felix The Cat” balloon to break free of the handler and crash into a tree. The parade continued in 1932, during the Great Depression, in 1941, during World War II, and in 2020, when the parade was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, on Thanksgiving Day 2024, the parade began with a rainy start. Leading up to this moment, audience members from around the globe who had planned to attend the parade were worried that the parade may not continue. A recurring question asked by citizens was, “Will the balloons fly?” Yet, despite the wet beginning, the parade continued. The parade began at 8:30 a.m., “17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands from as far away as Texas and South Dakota, 700 clowns, ten performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.”
When rain is forecasted for the parade, it often changes how participants prepare for the event. For the performers, whether in the marching bands, the clowns, singers, or actors, the wet conditions can cause harm. The slippery street could increase the risk of falls or injuries, meaning they would have to change the marching speed or take other precautions. Participants must also be content with the cold, wet conditions as they perform for long hours. As for the costumes, the rain can weigh down the fabric and make it harder to move or rub on the person’s skin, causing rash or blistering.
The most worrying portion of the parade was the massive helium-filled balloons that had become the signature feature of the Macy’s parade. These balloons, which can reach up to 70 feet in length, require a group of people to hold down and guide them along the route. Rain can complicate this process in several ways. First, the rain causes the balloons to become heavier as water collects on the surface. This also makes it harder for the handlers to control them, especially with the wind. With these fabrics being weighed down, there is a higher risk of tearing, deflection, or malfunction.
The ideal conditions for the balloons are light wind and mild temperatures where they can be flown at their proper altitude and reach their full potential. This weather is also ideal for the handlers and the people performing in the parade. The good weather can also encourage people to shop, dine, and explore the city longer, helping local businesses recover from the year’s challenges.
