Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Wiki

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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Wiki
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!
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Clowns

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Clowning around has been a staple at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for decades.

Clowns have been a staple in every Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since the very first procession in 1924. For the first several decades, clown groups did not have themes and were instead sprinkled throughout the Parade wearing non-formal clown costumes in groups of a dozen or so clowns. Beginning in the 1960's, clown groups would be given props such as jogging wheels, TV cameras on wheels and vehicles.

Themed clown groups began being introduced in the 1980's, with clown units such as the Rain Rag Ballet Clowns and the Baby Clowns making their debut. Several other themed clown units were added over the years, and by 1994 all clown units were given names and themes (i.e. Patriotic, Tropical Fruit, Birthday Party Cake, etc.).

In addition to normal clown units, several teen clown groups have been added over the years. These include the Baseball All-Stars, Slumber Party Clowns, and Super Hero Clowns.

Mastering slapstick and holiday hijinks might seem like an easy task, but the rigorous training required to be called a Macy’s clown is no laughing matter. Being crowned the kings and queens of hilarity is all in a day’s work. On the second Saturday of November, Macy’s clown volunteers attend Clown University, where they earn the facts of funny, taught by none other than the stars of the Big Apple Circus. Under the big top, volunteers will learn firsthand what it takes to be a clown, from do’s and don’ts to eccentric demonstrations, the hopefuls must be made jester-ready for Thanksgiving Day. After successfully completing Clown U., these volunteers will be awarded their red noses, solidifying their transition from mere mortals into extraordinary Macy’s Parade ambassadors of fun.

Arriving at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, the newly-minted clowns will gather with their assigned clown troupe and get dressed for the holiday hoedown. Once in costume, volunteers ride to Clown Corner, the designated meet-up spot for Parade clowns. To the call of Let’s Have a Parade, the gaggle of clowns begin to share a laugh or two with audiences and bring smiles to all during their Turkey Day journey.

Following is a list of clown troupes that have been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade throughout the years, sorted by the year they debuted.

1960s Introductions[]

1968[]

1980s Introductions[]

1981[]

  • Rain Rag Ballet Clowns

1982[]

1986[]

  • Robot Clowns

1987[]

  • Clown Fire Brigade (later renamed to Funny Flutter Fetti Fire Brigade in 1994, then Funny Firefighter Brigade in 1995)
  • Ambulance Clowns (later renamed to the Funny Bone Medical Team in 1994)

1989[]

  • Dog Catcher Clowns

1990s Introductions[]

1992[]

1993[]

1994[]

1995[]

1996[]

1997[]

  • Baseball Clowns
  • Wavey Clowns
  • Cloudy Weather Clowns (2nd version)
  • Jester Clowns
  • Ornament Clowns

1999[]

2000s Introductions[]

2000[]

2001[]

2002[]

2003[]

2004[]

  • Parade Studio Art Clowns (later renamed to Studio Art Clowns, then Artist Clowns)
  • Bicycle Clowns
  • Stars and Clapboards (later renamed to Tinseltown Clowns in 2005)
  • Car Hop Clowns (later renamed to Malt Shop Clowns in 2009)

2005[]

2006[]

2007[]

2008[]

2009[]

2010s Introductions[]

2010[]

2011[]

2012[]

2013[]

2014[]

2015[]

2016[]

2017[]

2019[]

2020s Introductions[]

2021[]

2022[]

2023[]

2024[]

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