Gobble the Turkey is an original Macy's character who originated as a giant helium character balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Gobble the Turkey made his Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in the 1929 Parade, as one of the Parade's first-ever giant helium balloons. The balloon depicted a larger-than-life Thanksgiving turkey gobbling and wobbling his way down the Parade route. He was also the first turkey balloon ever made for the parade.
During its debut appearance, the balloon was sent away by gusty winds. The handlers struggled to keep the balloon in line for much of the march, as the gusts threw the balloon about. At 58th Street and 6th Avenue, the Gobble balloon's chest was punctured by a "No Parking" sign. Despite the incident, the balloon was able to finish its march. The balloon was retired after only one appearance and was later disposed of.