Thursday, November 28, 2013

Macy's Flies its Balloons- USA Today

Balloons and spirits soar at Macy's parade

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Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants and Toothless the dragon got their time in the sky Thursday after Macy's allowed balloons to fly in its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade despite concerns over weather conditions, and the procession took place in New York City without a hitch.
Those Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons — and 13 other giant balloons — were threatened with grounding if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph and gusts exceeded 34 mph.
But the New York Police Department decided Thursday morning that the winds were calm enough for the 16 giant character balloons to lift off.
"We thought they'd find a way to pull it off," said parade-goer John Mispagel, of San Jose, Calif. "It's really fun seeing so many people having such a great time."
Balloon handlers kept a tight grip on their inflated characters and held them fairly close to the ground in tree-lined areas.
Mispagel and his wife, Susan, said Sonic the Hedgehog got caught on a tree while rounding a corner near the start of the parade route; handlers used cutters on a rope to free the balloon.
The cheering throngs were bundled against a 30-degree chill, but the sun was shining. Some in the crowd lifted small children onto their shoulders.
An excited 9-year-old Lily Thomolaris, of Pittsburgh, was excited to "see all the balloons." But she especially thought a big turkey was really cool.
MORE: How Macy's Thanksgiving Parade comes together
Balloons have only been grounded once in the parade's 87-year history, when bad weather kept them from flying in 1971.
A giant Uncle Sam balloon is marched down 6th Avenue.
A giant Uncle Sam balloon is marched down 6th Avenue.  John Minchillo, AP
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  • A giant Uncle Sam balloon is marched down 6th Avenue.
  • Sightseers walk past giant balloons the evening before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27.
  • Spectators dressed as turkeys stand behind police barricades as they wait for the parade to begin.
  • A performer carries balloons.
  • Balloon handlers wait for protective netting to be removed from the Sonic the Hedgehog balloon.
  • Kim Dodson, of Kissimmee, Fla., wears a hat with a turkey while keeping warm before the start of the parade.
  • Spectators watch from an apartment block as giant balloons float past.
  • Logan Berg, 5, of Mount Olive, N.J., reacts as he watches the parade.
  • The Snoopy and Woodstock balloon makes its way down the street.
  • Parade marchers wave to the crowd.
  • Spectators wave to the passing floats during the parade.
  • The Ronald McDonald balloon on Central Park West.
  • A performer dressed as a nutcracker poses for a photograph as he marches down 6th Avenue.
  • Spectators watch from balconies as the James Madison University Royal Dukes marching band performs on 59th Street.
  • A clown entertains children in the crowd.
  • Spongebob Squarepants battles the crosswinds in front of the Trump Tower.
  • The Marine Corps Band marches down Central Park West.
  • The Spider-Man balloon makes its way down Central Park West. The balloon was partially torn on the arm, but remained airborne.
  • Spectators watch from the Time Warner Center.
  • The Elf on the Shelf balloon on Central Park West.
  • Spectators on balconies watch as Buzz Lightyear passes.
  • The Papa Smurf balloon floats by 57th Street.
  • Kayla Mieczkowski, 17, right, of Holbrook, N.Y., takes a photograph of herself with a performer.
  • A girl yells as Santa Claus passes.
  • Santa Claus waves to the crowd at the end of the parade.
  • Claire Rosa, center, reacts to the cold weather as other girls huddle together to warm up.
 
Weather has caused parade organizers — and watchers — troubles in the past. In 1997, winds drove a Cat in the Hat balloon into a metal pole. The ensuing damage left a woman in a coma for almost a month before she recovered. In 2005, an M&M balloon knocked over a streetlight that injured two sisters.

After the 1997 accident, Macy's worked with New York City and "participated in a full review of the incident," says Macy's spokesman Orlando Veras. The new wind guidelines where put into place after that review.

Following the 2005 incident, Macy's updated "its system of monitoring weather patterns at different heights at key points on the route," says Veras.

In addition to weather issues, controversy swirled around two floats.

Animal rights activists are upset that a SeaWorld float, which features two 27-foot orcas, is joining the parade. They claim SeaWorld doesn't treat its whales well.
SeaWorld says the accusations have "absolutely no basis" and that "the men and women who care for these animals at SeaWorld are dedicated in every respect to their health and well-being."
And ranchers were rankled that singer Joan Jett was slated to perform on the South Dakota tourism float, saying the vegetarian and animal-rights activist wasn't a good representative for their beef-producing state.

Macy's said the parade does not engage in social commentary or political debate.

More than 50 million people were expected to see at least part of the parade on TV or live.
The parade featured 30 full-size floats, 11 marching bands, 900 clowns and 1,600 cheerleaders and dancers.

Contributing: Doyle Rice; The Associated Press
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