RetroDaze

Craving
Fruit Brute
Since 1983.

RETRORATING: 11

Operation Santa

OFFICIAL

Batman '89 Remembered

RETRORATING: 12

The Coming of the Autumn People

Don't mess
with the bull.
JOIN!!!

5 COMMENTS

RETRORATING: 7

FAVORITED 1 TIMES

TDitH's Favorite Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Floats

By: ThatDudeintheHoodie

The time has arrived once again. Food, family, friends, and wine. Yes, Thanksgiving has come and so has the tradition of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The sights and sounds of the parade are always welcomed. While the musicians, balloons, and musicals are all nice, the most interesting part is the floats, as many of them change each year. I've picked out three of my personal favorites to share.

Santaland Express (1995)

For some reason trains and Christmas go hand in hand. But this one has some history behind it. Debuting in 1995, the Santaland Express is actually a train owned by Macy's that has been modified to be a float. It is also known as the Golden Eagle Express.

Bands that have played on this float are Jimmy Fallon and The Roots and Mannheim Steam Roller.

In 2013 the float broke down due to the possibility of running out of gas or losing power. It was supposed to be behind the Adventure Time Finn and Jake balloon but managed to return after the On The Roll Again float.

I enjoy this float more for its history than the look of it. I still like the old style train look. But it is a real, retired train that was repurposed as a float in a well recognized parade, giving it new life for a time.

Polar Express (2005)

The coming of the Parade usually means Christmas is right behind it. This float makes you well aware of that. In 2005 a float for the film was shown in the Parade to celebrate the first year that the film was released. It was also the twentieth anniversary of the book it was based on.

The float itself looked amazing, with great detail and a good use of forced perspective with the mountain looking further back and the train cars wrapped around it. Kids would also walk alongside the float as conductors. While the float retired after 2006, the costumes have been used with the Domino Sugar float.

Performers on the float were Brian McKnight and Natalie Grant. Both sang the song Believe, a song from the film originally sung by Josh Groban. However in 2006, the float was accompanied by the Florida Special Needs Color Guard.

Tom Turkey (1971)

Tom Turkey is the parade's oldest and most reoccurring float in the parade's history, as it has been a staple since 1971 (save for one missed appearance in the 77th parade, having been replaced that year by a balloon). The first incarnation of Tom Turkey was from 1971-1992. From 1993 to 2017 we saw the much larger second version, which has been revamped for the 2018 season to make him more mobile. Tom also got a Ballonicle in 2015 and 2016 in the parade.

I enjoy this float not only for the history, but for how animated it is. Not many floats have moving parts and they are usually simple movements when they do move. Tom moves his neck, eyes, wings, and head. It still impresses me to this day.

While there isn't much to say about Thanksgiving itself, the festivities are always something to remember, and the parade is as much a tradition in American Thanksgivings as the food. So raise a glass, give thanks, and from me to you all, have a great Thanksgiving.

All I wish for you is to live life and live nostalgic.

Looking for more from ThatDudeintheHoodie?

READ 172953 TIMES

Model Student

When I was a freshman in high school they told the P. E. classes somebody was going to talk to us about proper health. I didn’t care because I ...

Universal Studios Hollywood '92

Growing up, movies from Universal were always identifiable by the logo featuring a view of the Earth, seemingly shot in space by Astronauts in the 1...

Stuffed Animals of the 80's

Stuffed animals are major part of every child’s bedroom. Whether it’s a single cloth creature you’ve loved the stuffing out of, enjoying the co...

Nintendo Discoveries: The Adventures of Bayou Billy

With so many Nintendo games released between 1985 and 1993, there was no way a kid could play them all. But that didn’t stop the game companies fro...

My First Day of Kindergarten

It was the fall of 1995. I can't remember the exact date or even the month. But I remember I was preparing for this for months. I had everything...

TDitH's Top 5 Segment Intros of the 90s

The fun part about writing lists is that ideas can come from anywhere. This came to me after a binge of nostalgia online. I got to thinking, with all ...

Aladdin's Castle B-Day

My grandma was arrested for cursing at Galaga while smoking, she thought it was a casino.Have you heard the tales, Of a magic kingdom wedged deep in t...

80's Child Stars in TV Commercials

Kids on TV always seemed to have it made in the shade with a glass of lemonade (Is that something that was ever said? It seems like a phrase that wo...

My Top 5 Strangest Reoccurring Dreams

Reoccurring dreams are supposed represent something in your life, and if that's true, I would like to know what the heck these meant.I have had plenty...

MOST RECENT RETRORATING FEATURED OFFICIAL

Go to page: