Gift of Freedom is a float from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Gift of Freedom float first appeared in the 2011 Macy’s Parade, honoring the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.[1] The colossal float immortalizes America’s symbol of hope and freedom with a 36-foot tall replica of Lady Liberty’s famed torch and arm atop a float bed inspired by the neoclassical architecture found on Liberty Island.
The float’s concept was inspired by a fundraiser held during the Statue’s construction in 1876. Here, the arm and torch were on display on top of a kiosk in downtown Manhattan, where visitors learned of the plans for the statue, and were encouraged to give donations.[2]
Approximately 12 layers of paint were added to the float to give the effect of aged copper, with foil used to replicate the flame at the float’s highest point.[3] It was the final float to be completed at Macy’s Studios’ location in Hoboken. Additionally, the Gift of Freedom was the first-ever (and as of 2024, the only) float to utilize hydraulics in its assembly, which were employed when raising the hand and torch.[2]
In addition to appearing in the Parade, the float was seen along New York Harbor at the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks in 2011, which were aptly themed to the “Gift of Freedom,” and in 2016 to celebrate the event’s 40th anniversary.
After more than a decade-long absence from the Parade, the float returned in 2024.
Guest Stars[]
Listed below are the guest stars that have appeared on the Gift of Freedom float, alongside their respective NBC broadcast performances.
- 2011 - U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club, sang "America the Beautiful"[4]
- Appearance by Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan
- 2012 - PS 22 Chorus, sang "Home"[5]
- 2024 - Loud Luxury
- Appearance by New York Liberty with Ellie the Elephant
References[]
- ↑ Halvorson, Gary. "The 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." NBC. November 24, 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 MagdaCorrespondent. "Behind the scenes of the MACY'S Day Parade 2011 Large." YouTube.com. November 20, 2011.
- ↑ MagdaCorrespondent. "Behind the scenes of the MACY'S Thanksgiving Parade 2011 Part 2 Large." YouTube.com. November 21, 2011.
- ↑ The U.S. Military Cadets Chorus were originally scheduled to perform a rendition of "God Bless America" before being replaced by the Naval Academy.
- ↑ "The Fierce Five," a team of U.S. Gymnastics Gold Medalists from the 2012 Summer Olympics, were scheduled to appear on the float but were replaced by the PS 22 Chorus in support of those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The Olympians were moved to the Pep Rally float.