By Heather Taylor, Editor-in-Chief, PopIcon
What better way to kick off the holiday season than with the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? This year’s celebration airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock is slated to be the largest celebration yet with 22 giant balloons, 33 floats, seven balloonicles and many more festivities.
Among those balloons and floats are familiar iconic characters, like Ronald McDonald, Smokey Bear, and the Pillsbury Doughboy, along with new faces. Ahead of Thanksgiving morning, check out who to expect during this year’s star-studded parade route below.
Beagle Scout Snoopy | Peanuts Worldwide
Peanuts’ icon, Snoopy, and bestie Woodstock, are back for Thanksgiving in New York City! The Snoopy character balloon is designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beagle Scouts. Keep your eyes peeled for the Camp Snoopy float where more of the Peanuts gang can be spotted having fun, too!
The Pillsbury Doughboy | Pillsbury
The Pillsbury Doughboy is ready to lend a hand, and a giggle, in the kitchen especially on Thanksgiving. Poppin’ Fresh is back to take flight in the Manhattan skies this year.
We’re always delighted to see the Doughboy in the Parade, even if we’re a little surprised that this year’s balloon is keeping with his traditional white neckerchief. Has anyone else noticed Poppin’ Fresh has recently been spotted on social media and in advertisements wearing a new, blue neckerchief?
Ronald McDonald | McDonald’s
America’s favorite clown, Ronald McDonald, is returning to the Macy’s Parade in air and on land. Viewers will be able to spot the Ronald McDonald balloon flying down the route with a big smile and heart in his hands.
On land, Ronald will cruise down the streets in the famous Big Red Shoe Car float. Keep your eyes peeled for the Hamburglar and Grimace, two beloved McDonaldland characters that will be joining him Thanksgiving morning in the Big Red Shoe Car.
Sinclair DINO & Baby DINO | HF Sinclair
Back in the Big Apple, it’s the Sinclair DINO and Baby DINO! Keep your eyes peeled for the bright green Apatosaurus balloon and the freshly hatched trio of Baby DINOs balloonicles in this year’s Parade route.
Smokey Bear | USDA Forest Service
Smokey Bear, the USDA’s official spokesbear, is back in the Macy’s Parade lineup after celebrating his 80th birthday this year. Spectators watching his balloon are reminded of his important message “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” to encourage good practices in wildfire safety.
Tiptoe | Macy’s
Macy’s courageous reindeer mascot, Tiptoe, is returning to the Macy’s Parade as a balloon puppet.
What’s a balloon puppet? Think giant balloon on land with many puppeteers helping guide the balloon along. Tiptoe is the first-ever balloon puppet that will be heading down the Parade route and she has plenty of puppeteers that will be assisting her as she prances forward.
HARIBO Candy Cosmos
The new HARIBO Candy Cosmos float is simply out of this world!
HARIBO debuts their first float during the Macy’s Parade starring a balloon of their mascot Goldbear, tons of gummi treats like Twin Snakes, Frogs, and Rainbow Worms, and a shimmering rocket ship.
Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party | Toys”R”Us
Back by popular demand is everyone’s favorite Toys”R”Us icon Geoffrey the Giraffe!
The Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party float features Geoffrey as the Parade route DJ. Get ready to dance and play when you spot his float full of bright colors, balloons, and toys.
Harvest In The Valley | Green Giant
No Thanksgiving celebration is complete without plenty of vegetables picked by the Green Giant himself.
Watch out for the Green Giant’s float which features a replica of the Giant holding ears of corn and reflecting on a fall harvest set in a rolling, lush landscape.
Pasta Knight | Rao’s Homemade
Is it too soon to give the Pasta Knight from Rao’s Homemade a nod in this roundup. Technically, the Pasta Knight — a play on the phrase “pasta night,” get it? — is not a brand mascot… yet.
But we feel like his debut is promising to slay indeed. Watch as the Pasta Knight, in armor covered in pasta shapes like rotelle, rigatoni, penne, fusilli, and more, faces off in an epic battle against a fire-breathing dragon. This Macy’s Parade float is shaping up to potentially introduce a future beloved character to the advertising landscape!
Save the date to your calendar now! The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on Thursday, November 28 from 8:30 AM EST until noon on NBC and simulcast on Peacock. An encore presentation will air on NBC at 2 PM EST.
About the Author
Heather Taylor is the senior writer and editor-in-chief of PopIcon, Advertising Week’s blog about brand mascots. Got a pitch on brand mascots or want to wax nostalgic about characters? Drop her a line at howveryheather@gmail.com.
