Below is an image gallery for the star of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise, Greg Heffley, during his time with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid v1 (2010-2015)[]
Development and Creation[]
Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney arrives at the Macy's Parade Studio.
Kinney observes head sculptor Jennifer Palmer as she works onn the WImpy Kid balloon model.
Kinney produces a sketch of what he wants the balloon to look like...
...featuring a design of Greg Heffley clutching his famous diary.
The armature drawing of the Wimpy Kid balloon.
A series of tools help the team to make Greg Heffley look as accurate as possible.
The clay model closely resembles Greg's book counterpart.
Greg's "Wimpy Springs" are an important feature of both his character and balloon self.
Kinney helps fine-tune details of the model.
A paper mouth is added to complete the look of the balloon.
Kinney, Palmer, and Abrams Books employees pose with the final product.
A duplicate model and a fresh coat of paint later, the maquette of the original Wimpy Kid balloon is ready.
Test Flights[]
The first Diary of a Wimpy Kid balloon flies inside of the DakotaDome in fall 2010.
Balloonfest provides perfect weather for the balloon's inagural public appearance.
2010[]
Greg passes down Central Park West on his debut flight down Broadway.
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid balloon during the 2010 NBC telecast
2011[]
Greg during the 2011 NBC telecast
2012[]
Greg's Left Leg Bent
Greg during the 2012 NBC telecast
2013[]
Greg during the 2013 NBC telecast
2014[]
Greg during the 2014 NBC telecast
2015[]
Greg during the 2015 parade NBC telecast
Diary of a Wimpy Kid v2 (2016-2021)[]
Development and Creation[]
Concept art for the second Greg Heffley balloon, by Joel Naprstek.
Balloonfest 2016[]
2016[]
The second Wimpy Kid balloon prepares to round the corner and join the Parade.
Greg takes on a new look during the 2016 NBC telecast
2017[]
Greg during the 2017 NBC telecast
2018[]
.png "How to inflate Greg Heffley (Speedrun 100%).png (3.62 MB)")
Greg during the 2018 NBC telecast
2019[]
Greg minutes after starting the route in the 2019 parade
Greg during the 2019 NBC telecast, which would later be reused on videotape in 2020.
2021[]
Look closely in the back.
.png "Chase (And also Greg).png (3.76 MB)")
The 2nd Greg during the 2021 CBS telecast
Greg during his final appearance on the 2021 NBC Telecast, with a busted mouth
The second Greg Heffley about to be deflated after his final flight.
Diary Of a Wimpy Kid v3 (2022-present)[]
Development and Creation[]
A sketch of the balloon.
A 3D rendering of the balloon.
The third Greg balloon being painted
Pre-Balloonfest Test Flight[]
Balloonfest 2022[]
Greg moments away to stepoff for balloonfest 2022.
Greg preparing to stepoff for balloonfest 2022.
The Balloon at BalloonFest 2022
2022[]
(Photo: Eugene Gologursky)
(Photo: WDW News Today)
(Photo: Jeff Kinney)
(Photo: Anthony Quintano)
Greg during the 2022 NBC Telecast
Greg after his debut flight. (Photo: Jeff Kinney)
2023[]
Greg on the 2023 NBC telecast.
Other[]
Greg on the 2010 poster
Greg on the 2016 poster
Greg on the 2022 poster