In 2023 this will be my 7th year in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a Float Escort. Sharing some of the most frequently asked questions I get every year.
For more details about the Macy’s Parade itself including lineup, parade route, and more specific questions, head over to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade website.
Floats Through the Years:
2015 - Ghirardelli
2016 - Ocean Spray Cranberry
2017: Santa’s Sleigh
2018: Nickelodeon - Shimmer & Shine
2019: Hallmark Channel - Heartwarming Holiday Countdown
2020: COVID
2021: Preggers with Baby Boy
2022: Lego - The Brick Changer
Most Common Questions I Get Asked:
1.) How’d you get into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
There’s two ways of going about this.
1.) You have to be an employee of Macy’s or Bloomingdales.
2.) You have to be sponsored by someone who works at Macy’s or Bloomingdales. I was actually sponsored by a Macy’s employee from a woman that attended one of our Women Who Brunch events years ago. She sponsored me for a few years and then I continued to ask my float captains to sponsor me.
You can read more about Macy’s Parade Policies & Statement here:
Since it began in 1924, participants have been Macy's colleagues, their families & friends or others who have a relationship with the Parade’s elements and/or partners. This participation policy still exists today. With the exception of invited performing talent (i.e., marching bands, celebrities, singers, etc.), aspiring participants must fall under one of these categories & be approved via application granted by the Macy's Parade Office.
2.) Where’s the best place to watch the parade in NYC?
Hotel-wise - You’re going to definitely be spending a pretty penny to watch the parade from the comfort of your hotel room on the parade route. Upwards of over a $1,000+ per night. I have no specific hotel recommendations except explore the parade route and look for hotels that way.
To watch the parade, I highly recommend watching it around Central Park West. The start of the parade kicks off at the Museum of Natural History and the crowd is significantly less crowded at the start of the parade. When you get to around 59th & 6th Ave, it only gets crazy from there. Get a good spot in the park is my recommendation.
3.) How early do you have to be there?
Depends on the float assignment, earlier like 5:30am if I’m in the beginning of the parade, a tad later if I’m in the second half of the parade lineup.
Everyone meets and gets ready at The New Yorker on 8th and 34th Street. It’s really fun to see everyone at the beginning and end of the parade there.
Other Cool Facts:
⚜️ There’s 3x “Main” Positions in the parade. Balloon Handler, Float Escort, and Clowns.
I’ve always wanted to do a balloon, BUT Float Escort is the easiest position. Clowns have to go to a clown school and balloon handlers have to practice walking and deflating the balloons a few weekends out leading up to the parade. Floats you just show up and get dressed! :)
⚜️ Each year you get a commemorative pin and a particapation pin. I’ve been collecting mine on my Macy’s bear that I bought at my first parade.
⚜️ Rumor has it that performing artists don’t get paid to be there. This is because it’s strictly PR for them. Typically an artist is launching a new song or Christmas album which seems to be the case from what I’ve seen on my floats.
⚜️ You can buy special Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade merchandise in Macy’s on 34th St. or online here.
Big Revel! This Year I’ll be on the: ⚜️Celebration Gator: Louisiana Office of Tourism⚜️
( 🙏 Silently praying I get some beignets and chicory coffee 🙏 )
See you on Turkey Day friends! 🦃
*And let me know if the comments if there’s a specific questions you have that I can try to help answer.
