Jennifer "Jennie" Palmer is the former lead designer and sculptor of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Palmer began work at the Macy's Parade Studio as a designer and sculptor, and spent more than 14 years as a production director. Palmer has since succeeded as an author/illustrator with two children's books; The Wompananny Witches Make One Mean Pizza, released in 2017, and Milo's Christmas Parade, released in 2020. The latter of the two books was inspired by her time with the Macy's Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Jennifer Palmer first joined the Macy's Parade Studio team in 2000. Palmer received a position opportunity from Suprina Kenney, whom Palmer had previously freelanced for, as Kenney passed the position due to a lack of interest. One of Palmer's first designs was the carousel on Reddi-Wip's "Simple Simon's Fair" float, which she designed alongside legendary Parade designer Manfred Bass.
Palmer would go on to design several other floats, balloons other novelties for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She later assisted with the sculpting of clay models used as blueprints for the giant balloons, and was eventually named the senior designer and sculptor. Palmer left Macy's in 2012 to work on several personal projects, including writing and illustration.
Since her retirement from the Parade Studio, Palmer has designed several elements for the Parade, such as float escort costumes and the 2018 Tom Turkey float refurbishment.
List of Palmer's Parade Designs[]
Balloons[]
- Big Bird (2nd Version) by Sesame Workshop (2001, with Jerry Ospa)
- Cheesasaurus Rex by Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (2001, with John Piper)
- Little Bill by Nickelodeon (2002, with Jerry Ospa)
- Kermit the Frog (2nd Version) by The Jim Henson Company (2002, with Jerry Ospa)
- Super Grover by Sesame Workshop (2003, with Louis Henry Mitchell)
- Garfield (2nd Version) by PAWS, Inc. (2003)
- Red and Yellow Brighten the Holidays by M&M's Chocolate Candies (2004)
- Scooby-Doo by Warner Bros. Consumer Products (2005)
- Dora the Explorer by Nickelodeon (2005, with Jerry Ospa)
- JoJo by Disney Channel (2005, with Jerry Ospa)
- Snoopy as the Flying Ace (6th Version) by United Feature Syndicate (2006)
- Pikachu with PokéBall (2nd Version) by Pokémon USA (2006)
- Shrek by DreamWorks Animation (2007)
- "Super Cute" Hello Kitty (1st Version) by Sanrio (2007)
- Clumsy Smurf by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2008)
- Horton by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2008)
- Spider-Man (2nd Version) by Marvel (2009, with Jerry Ospa and Scott Johnson)
- Sailor Mickey (4th Version) by Disney Cruise Line (2009)
- Pillsbury Doughboy (1st Version) by Pillsbury (2009)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1st Version) by Abram's Books (2010, with Jeff Kinney)
- Kung Fu Panda (1st Version) by DreamWorks Animation (2010)
- Hello Kitty (2nd Version) by Sanrio (2012)
- Papa Smurf by Sony Pictures Animation (2012)
- The Elf on the Shelf by CCA and B, LLC. (2012, with Laura Duphiney)
- Chase from PAW Patrol by Spin Master Ltd. and Nickelodeon (2017)
Novelty Balloons[]
- Sesquicentennial Hot Air Balloon by Macy’s (2002)
- Uncle Sam (2nd Version) by Macy’s (2002)
- Opening Macy's Stars by Macy’s (2018)
Floats[]
- Simple Simon's Fair by Reddi-wip Whipped Cream (2000, with Manfred Bass)
- World of Greendog by Greendog (2001)
- Dinotopia by Hallmark Channel (2001, with John Piper)
- Teddy Bear's Workshop by Build-A-Bear Workshop (2002)
- Kids' Candy Creation Lab by Hershey Foods Corporation (2002)
- Angelina Ballerina's Magic of Dance by HIT Entertainment (2002)
- Fun Abounds on The Big Comfy Couch by Tadpole Entertainment (2003)
- A Celebration of the New Arrivals by Marshmallow Peeps (2003)
- Percy & The P-Birds by Macy's (2003)
- Barbie as the Princess & The Pauper by Mattel, Inc. (2004)
- Tutenstein by Discovery Kids (2004, with John Piper)
- Dixie Krazy Kritters by Georgia-Pacific (2004)
- Voyage to Adventure by Royal Caribbean International (2004, with John Piper)
- Holiday Beat! by Universal Orlando Resort (2004)
- The Magic of Childhood by Fisher-Price (2004)
- Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus by Mattel, Inc. (2005)
- Animal Wonders by Animal Planet (2005)
- Oklahoma Rising! by Oklahoma Centennial Commission (2005)
- Story Time by Macy's (2006)
- Starship Discovery by greendog (2006)
- New York Tin Toy by The History Channel (2006, with Joel Naprstek)
- The Care Bears Winter Fun-derland by American Greetings (2007)
- Harajuku Lovers by Coty (2008)
- Woodland Family Gathering by Ocean Spray (2008)
- The True Spirit of Thanksgiving by Oneida Indian Nation (2008)
- On The Roll Again by Homewood Suites by Hilton (2010)
- Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure by Nickelodeon (2010)
- Home Baked Goodness by Morton Salt (2010)
- Frozen Fall Fun by Discover Card/NHL (2011)
- Zhu-niverse! by ZhuZhu Pets (2011)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Nickelodeon (2012)
- Tom Turkey by Macy's (2018, with Kimberly Montgomery)
Costumes[]
- Everyone's Favorite Bake Shop Escorts (2017)
- Macy's Starlets (2018)
- Opening Cheer Group (2018)
- The Brick-Changer Escorts (2019)
Miscellaneous[]
- Horton the Elephant 34th Street Marquee (2008)