Nov 26 2009

Parade Open Thread

(8:30 am – promoted by ek hornbeck)

tiggerHappy Thanksgiving!

You know, back when I worked retail I was always happy to come in on holidays for a few reasons not the least of which was the time and a half.  It was also dead slow which appeals to my laziness.

But most of all I felt I was providing a public service for people who needed stuff when most places were closed.

Just so I’m happy to provide a little light entertainment for you this Thanksgiving in case you need an excuse to get away from your relatives.

Or at least it will give me an excuse to get away from mine.

Anyway I’ll start off this morning with a Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Open Thread.

At least that’s what NBC is calling it.  CBS is calling it just Thanksgiving Day Parade and as I recall at least 1 network used to cover some of the other big Thanksgiving Day Parades including the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia.

Not so much anymore.

There are only 25 Ballons in total.  By comparison, the 16th Annual Stamford Connecticut Ballon Parade last Sunday had 17.

This is the 83rd Edition of the Macy’s Parade.

To summarize the Wikipedia history for you, the parade started in 1924 with floats, costumes, marching bands, and live animals borrowed from Central Park Zoo.  In 1927 the first balloon, Felix The Cat, was introduced.

In the early days they used to let the ballons just float away.

New Balloons

  • Pillsbury Doughboy
  • Ronald McDonald
  • Sailor Mickey
  • Spider-Man

Modified Parade Route

A new route has been established for the 2009 parade. From 77th Street and Central Park West, the route goes south along Central Park to Columbus Circle, then goes east along Central Park South. The parade then makes a right turn at 7th Avenue and goes south to Times Square. At 42nd Street the parade turns left and goes east, then at 6th Avenue turns right again. Heading south on 6th Avenue, the parade turns right at 34th Street (Herald Square) and proceeds west to the terminating point at 7th Avenue where the floats are taken down.

The 2009 route change eliminates Broadway completely, where the parade has traveled down for decades. The City of New York has said that the new route will provide more space for the parade, and more viewing space for spectators. Another reason for implementing the route change is the city’s plan to turn Broadway into a pedestrian-only zone at Times Square.

It is not advised to view the parade from Columbus Circle, as due to higher winds in this flat area, balloon teams race through it.

The Stars Hollow Marching Band snoots the Macy’s Parade because it’s cold, windy, and expensive and parade marching is boring unless you want to learn a new routine that fits the confined space of Herald Square, but lots of bands from around the country think it a highlight destination.

You also see Broadway Musical Stars lipsyncing their hits which will always remind me of the Rickroll from last year.

Hey Rick, it’s Marvin.  Your cousin, Marvin Astley.  Remember that mediocre, generic sound you were looking for?  Well, listen to this!

Oh, and Foster’s rocks.

137 comments

Skip to comment form

  1. I didn’t like any of that.

  2. And ‘Uncle Jesse’ John Stamos?

    And wasn’t Kermit mentioned twice?

  3. Varsity spirit cheerleaders.

    • mango on November 26, 2009 at 15:08
    • #

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Just another day here in Mexico although we do have a few places that serve a turkey dinner.  I cooked my own yesterday since the offerings here are not very good.  I’m being nice saying that.  They do try though.

    Have a great day and don’t eat too much.

  5. 52 degrees.

    Who says Global Warming is a lie?

  6. ‘Hair’ commentary.

    You are not hip guys, you are sellouts.

    The Man.

    And ‘Age of Aquarius was never good Peaches and Herb.

  7. ‘Miracle on 34th St.’

    8 pm on ABC Family.

    I need a nap.

  8. 3/4 of NBC’s schedule.

    And Jay Leno is the other 3/4.

    But there is justice.  Jay is tanking.

  9. What the fuck happened to your hair?

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 15:23
    • #

    and muppets. Today is the 18th anniversary of Freddie Mercury’s passing. Rimjob posted the video as a remembrance. Priceless

  11. they already have Kermit.

    An that’s not DDDDDDDDora.

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 15:27
    • #

    took me to the Mummers’ Parade in Philadelphia when I was 4. I remember being on his shoulders so I could see the marchers and the bands.

  13. on a kite string.

    And more Broadway.

  14. Nobody has had an original idea in 50 years.

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 15:33
    • #

    “Ronald McDonald is on top of me” lmao

  16. no mention that Tavern On The Green is bankrupt and suing NYC for their trademark.

    And is this what the morning shows are like?

    Thank goodness I sleep through them.

  17. and they just missed one.

  18. CBS is at Columbus Circle and they’re wasting time with recipes?

    I thought this was parade coverage.

  19. I hope Piers Anthony is suing the pants off someone.

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 15:45
    • #

  21. Bloomberg.

  22. Thank goodness he’s tanking.

  23. is getting all his trivia from Wikipedia.

    Lazy media assholes.

  24. Pikachu.

    Gesuhnheit.

  25. Go figure.

    Had to get that GM sposorship in.

    Big Balloonhead much?

  26. stayed up too late last night.

    For that matter so did I.

  27. But what the hell is that on their heads?

  28. Who are these people?

    Kermie!

  29. a ground Balloon.

  30. from Hannah Montana second stringer.

    Somebody screwed up the volume.

  31. I wonder if they have Rick Astley?

  32. I am old.

  33. Have you no craft services?

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 16:15
    • #

  35. who’s looking at the other, dancing, kid like he’s a dweeb.

  36. All the colors are exactly the same.

  37. I’ve never bumped into someone I know walking through New York.

    Which I have done a fair amount for an outlander.

    Mostly the rule is no eye contact.

  38. They seem to be saving it for Herald Square.

    Poor CBS.

    More Balloon Heads.

  39. Check the time stamps, that’s how long it takes from CBS to NBC.

  40. CBS seems to be doing a much better job with the Balloons and Floats.

  41. was that Cyndi Lauper?

    Sorry I missed it.

  42. All air.

    I wonder who wrote that for Michael McKennon.

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 16:43
    • #

    #1 Karioke song

  44. Only the second time ever.

    Actually 2 cars because it transforms.

    But that’s at least the second time someone has use that ‘Do you feel like I do’ vocal effect.

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 16:48
    • #

  46. Sad actually.

  47. is tricky to swing.

    Yo gabba gabba.

  48. Well, you know I know all the words.

    Is it just me or are they missing most of the Balloons?

  49. Tricycle Drill Team!

  50. Every time I switch to CBS it’s a ghost town.  Jennifer Love Hewett just sent all the background kids running away.

    And what’s with the pony tails?

  51. Sometimes you don’t.

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 17:08
    • #

  53. “I do a lot of emotional preparation.”

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 17:13
    • #

    Snoopie turns 60 next year. ugh

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 17:15
    • #

    “God is great. Beer is good. People are crazy.” Not sure aboutthe 1st one but the other 2 are right on.

  57. Did the Mets hit a home run?

  58. When did it become the Food Network?

    Parade over up there at Hard Rock?

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 17:25
    • #

    to see “Sherlocke Holmes”.

  61. Reba in concert?

    Did Santa already pass?

    CBS is wacky.

  62. at least NBC shows the bands.

    That’s hundreds of kids and their parents you’re dissing CBS.

    Might bump your ratings.

  63. DooL got its shout out.

    Deidre Hall, is she still on it?

  64. the Plan keeps getting changed around here (my house I mean). Kid going to friends’ place for midday dinner then back home for evening dinner. So, I have a reprieve.

    Thanksgiving Pictures, Images and Photos

  65. Hundreds of them, one Smurfette.

    Do the math.

  66. Even our entertainers don’t bother to pretend any more.

    This is a Britney Spears world.

  67. Ugh.

    I’ve known some.

    You think Valley is narcissistic.

    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 17:58
    • #
    • TMC on November 26, 2009 at 18:09
    • #

    but I must bid you adieu for now. Thanks for your company, ek. First time I really enjoyed watching the parade. Bon Appetite, TMC

  70. There’s a guy figure skating with a blow-up doll on Fox TV

Comments have been disabled.