Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Feature Article)
Paula Danielle Roby
December 2, 2009
Choice Reporting – Feature Article
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is one of the biggest parades in the country. From its first run on Thanksgiving Day in 1924, it has run almost every year from Harlem all the way down to west 34th street in front of Macy’s in Manhattan, New York. It is most known for its giant helium balloons, which have graced the parade since 1927 (with the first balloon “Felix the Cat”) that are spectacles that draw crowds every year. This year thousands of spectators crammed onto the streets off of Broadway and into every apartment building and coffee shop along the way, trying to get a good view. The good weather seemed to draw the majority of the city and its surrounding counties into the streets and to get a good view was neigh impossible for those who arrived to line up after 6 AM.
Even though the parade could be seen as a mess, or better yet a mob, the culture of the event is one that can make New York appear like a much friendlier place than its reputation would insist. An event that could be seen as potential threat for thievery, or a rabble waiting to happen, instead always has a prevalent feeling of warmth and acceptance. Nearly half the crowd is under the age of ten, but no parents seem to be watching warily over the faces of the other spectators. No one is worried about getting mugged because the atmosphere is so thick with the holiday spirit that children who often wouldn’t even be allowed in the city of New York without a leash, are allowed to push through the crowds to get a better look at the giant balloons and favorite movie stars on floats.
Millions of televisions also contribute to this mass familiar feeling. The parade is broadcast from the setup to its completion and allows for many families, who wouldn’t normally have anything in common, a way to come together on a level that they can all relate to; simply being entertained by three full hours of pop culture marching down one of the most popular streets in the world. They don’t need to travel into the business of New York City to feel connected to the world of excitement and joy.
Also, looking into the base of the holiday itself, one can see how this parade has helped mask the unhappy feelings connected to it. The roots come from genocide and thievery – the beginnings of this nation – but a celebration can help people to ignore these beginnings by showing the positive way our country has eventually developed. The beginnings are still brutal, but we can show each other and show the world that we are capable of more than that. By creating this contradiction the holiday itself creates a better atmosphere.
A celebration can cause a different environment to exist. At the end of the day one may forget the happiness and fight over the dirty dishes, but the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has allowed, for a few hours on a cold November morning, to make people across the nation happier, and make the city and the holiday appear like something great in a beautiful existence.
7 comments
I was there as well and I was just as amazed as you were. The amount of people who gather to enjoy this event is so great, and it indeed is nice to have an event where everyone is there cherish the time and leave their problems at home for a while.
I have never gone to see this event in person but I always watch it on T.V. Couple years ago, I saw people playing on the piano on a booth and a person dancing on top of the piano. Each year is different and this year is no exception. Though, I enjoy watching this in the comfort of my own home, it is nonetheless a spectacular event. My favorite part is the balloons of course!
I actually missed it this year on T.V. because I overslept -_-
But I always enjoy the well known helium balloons, even though I don’t think I will ever go to it in person because it seems too crowded for me and I like to wake up to a bunch of food 😀
But I am happy that it is such a friendly environment, Thanksgiving is just a great holiday for everyone to be stressfree and to be with friends and family.
I was actually there at about 4 in the morning watching a huge marching band practice. There was also a color-guard, and it did look like it would turn out to be spectacular. I was not the only one up at that time. Others came and spoke of how the loud noise did not allow them to sleep, so instead they came out. We all enjoyed taking pictures and viewing a preview of the parade. I hope I can make it next year, and you’re completely right about this parade bringing together families of all types of backgrounds. It certainly is something worth waking up at 4 in the morning for.
I agree with everyone who commented about how wonderful the parade was, and how it lets people get away from their problems, even if it is for a few hours. Aside from what you wrote about, I want to just say how much I love your writing style. I especially love your last paragraph!
Thanks so much! I know my writing style is nothing special, and I wish I’d taken more time to edit this piece before I threw it online, but I really appreciate that you like it 🙂
Also, I’ve been watching the parade every year since I was born. It’s always been one of those family traditions and I really love that there are thousands of people in the world who love it as well.
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is also a tradition in my house and I agree with your final paragraph 100%. While my family and I are admiring it, we somehow put aside all of our differences and truly have a spectacular time!