Green Giant is a brand of frozen and canned vegetables owned by B&G Foods. The brand was founded in 1903 under the name Minnesota Valley Canning Company in Le Sueur, Minnesota. In 1925, the brand "Green Giant Great Big Tender Peas" was first used,[1] and the figure of a giant first appeared on packaging starting in 1928. The mascot was eventually renamed to the Jolly Green Giant in 1935, and was given the catchphrase "Ho, ho, ho" in 1961.[2] The Green Giant gained a young apprentice in 1972 named Little Sprout, who represents the consumer.
The company later merged with Pillsbury in 1979; the group was acquired by General Mills in 2001. General Mills later sold the Green Giant brand to B&G Foods in 2015 for $765 million.[3]
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The iconic Green Giant made his New York City debut in the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. The "spokes-giant" of the beloved vegetable brand is showcased aboard a float featuring a remarkable landscape of nature’s finest vegetables.
In a 2017 interview, Macy's Parade Studio Senior Director John Piper, highlighted the challenges of the Green Giant float. "The Green Giant sculpt was very challenging because it's a human form," Piper explained, "we used a lot of artistic elements, some of which go back to the renaissance...of forced perspective, both in the structural size and in the painting". Piper also noted that a steel armature had to be worked into the sculpture of the Jolly Green Giant, noting it as "almost like a human skeleton".[4]
The float depicts the harvest of fall delights including green beans, corn, and other vegetable crops in a stunning, rolling landscape where the Green Giant keeps watch. Featuring a replica of the Green Giant that’s more than two-stories tall as he kneels to inspect the perfect ear of corn, the majesty of the fall harvest season is depicted in a glorious and delicious spectacle.[5]
In 2020, the float received a major upgrade. This update included new trimmings, a broccoli-shaped tree, a windmill, and Green Giant's veggie-loving apprentice, Little Green Sprout.[6]
In 2022, in addition to country singer Jordan Davis, viral sensation Tariq the "Corn Kid" made an appearance on the float, helping to grow all the corn the Green Giant planted in the valley.
The Green Giant continues to make appearances as of 2023.
Guest Stars[]
Listed below are the guest stars that have appeared/performed on the float, alongside the respective songs which they sang during the NBC Parade telecast.
- 2017 - Lauren Alaina, sang "Doin' Fine"
- 2018 - Carly Pearce, sang "Closer To You"
- 2019 - Chris Janson, sang "Good Vibes"
- 2020 - Brett Young, sang "Here Tonight"
- 2021 - Jimmie Allen, sang "Freedom Was A Highway"
- 2022 - Jordan Davis, sang "What My World Spins Around"
- 2023 - Broadway Cast of Shucked, performed "Corn" and "Independently Owned"
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=tess&state=4804:66uk3q.1.1
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8ilBsr9n3o
- ↑ https://www.startribune.com/general-mills-sells-green-giant-minnesota-s-vegetable-grower/324082211/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw8H8CAITTQ
- ↑ https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171010005343/en/Green-Giant%C2%AE-Makes-a-Gigantic-Debut-in-the-91st-Annual-Macy%E2%80%99s-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade%C2%AE
- ↑ https://www.macys.com/social/parade/lineup/floats/