2024-11-21
53 分钟The 166-year-old chain, which is fighting extinction, calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker. At least we think it is — Macy’s is famously tight-lipped about parade economics. We try to loosen them up. (Part one of a two-part series.)
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I really only started paying attention to the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade about 10 years ago when my family and I moved into the neighborhood where the parade starts and where the night before, they stage everything.
This is on the Upper west side of Manhattan.
They take over two extra wide streets to lay out the giant balloons.
Each balloon arrives folded up flat in its own small rolling cart.
It gets unpacked, unfolded, laid out on the pavement, and then comes the helium.
There's a truck nearby with big helium canisters stacked horizontally on a rack.
Up close, the balloons are really big.
You see this as soon as they start drinking up some helium and puff up to full size.
But tonight is Wednesday, the night before the parade.
Inflation night they call it.
So the balloons aren't allowed to rise to parade height.
Each one has a net thrown across the top and the net is held down by sandbags.
If you happen to be passing by on foot, this can provide an unusual view of your favorite balloon character.
A bulging eyeball, a massive derriere, some very chubby fingers.