Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Balloon Introductions

Balloon Introductions

The balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade come in three varieties. The first and oldest is the novelty balloon class, consisting of smaller balloons, some of which fit on the heads of the performers. The second, and most famous, is the full-size balloon class, primarily consisting of licensed pop-culture characters. The third and most recent is the "Blue Sky Gallery," in which the works of contemporary artists are transformed into full-size balloons.

The following is a list of balloons that have, over the years, been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, sorted by their first year in the lineup. Items with BSG indicate entries in the Blue Sky Gallery.

• 2012: Hello Kitty (second version), Papa Smurf, The Elf on the Shelf, Kaws's "Companion"BSG, Happy Dragon (second version)
• 2011: Sonic the Hedgehog (second version), Paul Frank's "Julius the Sock Monkey," Tim Burton's "B"BSG
• 2010: Greg Heffley, Po from Kung Fu Panda, Virginia O'Hanlon, Takashi Murakami's "Kaikai and Kiki"BSG
• 2009: Pillsbury Doughboy, Sailor Mickey Mouse (4th version), Ronald McDonald (3rd version), Spider-Man (2nd version)
• 2008: Horton the Elephant, Buzz Lightyear, Smurf, Keith Haring's "Figure with Heart"BSG
• 2007: Shrek, Hello Kitty, Abby Cadabby, Jeff Koons's "Rabbit"BSG
• 2006: Pikachu with Poké Ball (2nd version), Energizer Bunny, Flying Ace Snoopy (6th version)
• 2005: Dora the Explorer, Scooby-Doo, Healthy Mr. Potato Head, JoJo, Tom Otterness's "Humpty Dumpty"BSG
• 2004: SpongeBob SquarePants, M&M's, Chicken Little
• 2003: (Strike up the Band) Barney (2nd version), Super Grover, Garfield (2nd version)
• 2002: Kermit the Frog (2nd version), Little Bill, Rich Uncle Pennybags, Charlie Brown
• 2001: Curious George, Big Bird (2nd version), Jimmy Neutron, Pikachu, Cheesasaurus Rex,
• 2000: Bandleader Mickey Mouse (3rd version), Ronald McDonald (2nd version), Jeeves, Cassie Dragon Tales
• 1999: Millennium Snoopy (5th version), Honey Nut Cheerios Bee, Blue's Clues, Petulia Pig
• 1998: Babe the Pig, Wild Thing, Dexter
• 1997: Arthur, Tommy Pickles,Chuckie Finster and Spike, Bumpé
• 1996: Rocky and Bullwinkle (2nd version), Peter Rabbit
• 1995: Dudley the Dragon, SkyDancer, Eben Bear
• 1994: Barney the Dinosaur, The Cat in the Hat.
• 1993: Beethoven (dog), Rex, Sonic the Hedgehog (first video game character in parade history), Izzy
• 1992: Santa Goofy
• 1991: Babar the Elephant
• 1990: Clifford the Big Red Dog, Bart Simpson
• 1989: Bugs Bunny
• 1988: Big Bird, Pink Panther, Snoopy (4th version) with Woodstock, Nesquik Bunny
• 1987: Spider-Man, Ronald McDonald, Snuggle Bear, Skating Snoopy (3rd version), Ice Cream Cone Novelty Balloon
• 1986: Baby Shamu, Humpty Dumpty
• 1985: Betty Boop, Ornament Novelty Balloons
• 1984: Garfield, Raggedy Ann
• 1983: Yogi Bear
• 1982: Olive Oyl with Swee'Pea (first female character in parade history), Woody Woodpecker,
• 1980: Superman (3rd version, largest balloon to appear in parade)
• 1977: Kermit the Frog
• 1975: Weeble
• 1972: Smile (Happy Face), Mickey Mouse (2nd version), Astronaut Snoopy (2nd version, a tribute to Apollo 11)
• 1968: Aviator Snoopy
• 1966: Smokey Bear, Superman (2nd version)
• 1965: Underdog
• 1964: Linus the Lionhearted
• 1963: Sinclair Oil Dinosaur, Elsie the Cow
• 1962: Donald Duck
• 1961: Bullwinkle J. Moose
• 1960: Happy Dragon
• 1957: Popeye
• 1954: Spaceman
• 1951: Lucky Pup, Mighty Mouse, Flying fish
• 1950: Freida the Dachshund
• 1949: Toy soldier
• 1948: Harold the Fireman (4th version)
• 1947: Artie The Pirate, Harold the Police Officer (3rd version); Kit, Charlie and C.J. Elf Gnomes
• 1946: Harold the Baseball Player (2nd version)
• 1945: Harold the Clown (1st version)
• 1940: Eddie Cantor, one of only two balloons based on a living person or people, The Tin Man
• 1939: Superman
• 1938: Uncle Sam
• 1937: Dragon
• 1935: The Marx Brothers (after Zeppo Marx's departure)
• 1934: Mickey Mouse
• 1931: Mama, Papa and Baby
• 1927: Felix the Cat