Father Knickerbocker is a giant helium character balloon that appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade beginning in 1936. He was based on an American literary character who originated from Washington Irving's first novel, "A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker" (1809).
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Father Knickerbocker made his debut in the 1936 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. When he appeared during its only appearance in the parade, it would entangle in an incident (see below), but he continued until herald square where he started to deflate upon its damages. The balloon only appeared in 1936 and was recycled into the Officer SOS 13 balloon the following year in 1937.
Incident[]
- In 1936, Father Knickerbocker got his nose stuck at the elevated train line in Lincoln Square. Even though he was repaired, his left arm wasn't, as it had come off the balloon.