The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade first featured balloons in the year 1927, with Felix the Cat being the very first balloon to make its debut at the event.

Balloon Debut Details

• The parade originally used live animals from the Central Park Zoo until balloons replaced them in 1927.

• Felix the Cat was the inaugural balloon, created by puppeteer and designer Tony Sarg, in collaboration with Goodyear.

• The early balloons were filled with air, not helium, and were propped up by handlers before helium inflation became the standard in 1929.

Historical Impact

• The introduction of balloons in 1927 marked a turning point for the parade, establishing a tradition that continues today.

• This shift from animals to balloons made the parade safer and more captivating for spectators, setting the stage for decades of pop-culture character balloons.