Marked in its 91st year, the Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade has become a symbol of an American tradition. Started in 1924 by Louis Bamberger in Newark, New Jersey, the parade was then transferred to New York City where employees marched to the Macy’s flagship store on 34th street and dressed up in vibrant outfits along with floats, band performances, and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. On November 24th, 2017, over 5,000 balloon handlers, marching bands, performers, and celebrities will be participating by either marching in the parade or aboard the elaborate floats.

This year, there are 5 new floats that will be making their debut in the parade: “Everyone’s Favorite Bake Shop” by Entenmann’s, “Harvest in the Valley” by Green Giant, “Parade Mischief” by SOUR PATCH KIDS Candy, “Shimmer and Shine” by Nickelodeon, and “Universal Playground” by Sprout. We were able to step inside the Macy’s Parade Studio in Moonachie, New Jersey where all of these new floats are being perfected in time for their debut next Thursday.

Everyone’s Favorite Bake Shop by Entenmann’s

“Everyone’s Favorite Bakeshop” by Entenmann’s float this year was designed to resemble a colorful bakery and playfulness surrounding the brand. This two-story float contains an oversized baking mixer, bursting cupcake confetti chimney, rotating donuts, and an array of delectable desserts in traditional bakery shop display cases.

To make this float come to life, the Macy’s Parade Studio artists used over 15 gallons of paint and dedicated 100 hours of painting.

This year float volunteers will be wearing bakery-themed outfits and country music star Sara Evans will be performing atop the float.

Harvest in the Valley by Green Giant

Green Giant’s float this year, “Harvest in the Valley,” depicts a fall harvest with green beans, corn, and other vegetables in a rolling landscape. Since vegetables have become a staple to have during Thanksgiving dinner, “Harvest in the Valley” pays homage to the very first Thanksgiving and also relates to the 100+ years of Green Giant helping you prepare your holiday dinner with their delectable vegetables.

“Harvest in the Valley” also features a replica of Jolly the Green Giant holding ears of corn, which stands more than two-stories high and took months to conceptualize and create, from starting with a design sketch to spraying plastic over the model and painting it.

Country music singer Lauren Alaina will be performing with float volunteers, who will be dressed as pumpkins, roasted corn, and flowers.

Parade Day Mischief by Sour Patch Kids Candy

“Parade Day Mischief” by SOUR PATCH KIDS Candy is also making its debut this year and features a depiction of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with picturesque New York City skyscrapers, Kids shenanigans, and a miniature version of one of Macy’s iconic clowns as a balloon. On the float, the animated mischievous Kids are shown prodding the clown balloon with a pushpin and when it pierces it, the balloon releases confetti.

This float stands at almost three-stories high, which is higher than the Jolly the Green Giant replica and is more than 32 feet long.

In addition to the Kids stirring up trouble, parade volunteers will be dressed in a marching band uniform and Latin music star Nicky Jam is set to perform on the float.

Shimmer and Shine by Nickelodeon

The “Shimmer and Shine” by Nickelodeon float portrays twin genies Shimmer and Shine on their magic carpet who travel on an incredible adventure through the Rainbow Waterfalls in their land of Zahramay Falls with their best pal Leah and their whimsical pets.

This new float was hand painted and sculpted by Macy’s Parade Studio artists and was made with gems, glitter, and jewels to make the float come to life after the animated series, “Shimmer and Shine.” The float also contains animated objects that are floating or appear to be floating in the air. Parade volunteers will be wearing colorful genie costumes, and social media influencer and TV star JoJo Siwa will be performing on the float.

Universal Playground by Sprout

Sprout’s float this year, “Universal Playground,” is a whimsical jungle gym where kids can use their imagination and take themselves on an adventure through Manhattan. Along with Sprout’s mission, the “Universal Playground” theme is that kids are free to grow creatively and take part in free form collaboration.

The float’s design was inspired by modern art and cut paper sculpture and America’s Got Talent star, Angelica Hale, is set to perform on the float.

You can catch these floats in action at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 24, 2017 airing on NBC at 9 AM EST. For more information on where to get the best view of the parade in person, visit here.

At Advertising Week, we love learning about mascots and icons behind the most popular brands. Take a look at our Icons section, where we talk about everything from the backstory of Little Debbie to the inspiration behind the Sun-Maid girl.

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