Kinder is a confectionary brand owned by the family-owned Ferrero Group. Founded in 1968 by Michele Ferrero, Kinder Chocolate originated from a desire to offer children chocolate made especially for them. It is the second-largest chocolate brand in the world and is sold in more than 170 countries.[1] Products offered under the Kinder label include Kinder Surprise, Kinder Joy, and Kinder Bueno.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Kinder made its Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 2018 with its whimsical “Fantasy Chocolate Factory” float, promoting the United States launch of Kinder Joy. Inspired by the magic and wonder of a carnival ride,[2] the float depicts a fantasy factory in the sky that follows cocoa from the production line to the finished product.
The cocoa begins its journey on a rotating Ferris wheel with egg-shaped gondolas. It is then transported into an oversized, bubbling milkcan, where a choco-meter gauges chocolate intensity. The delectable chocolate hearts complete their journey on a side chute that delivers them right into the hands of the float's escorts. Capping off the float that looks good enough to eat are flashing lights, bellowing steam, and ticking gauges, giving the float a steampunk aesthetic.
In 2019, the Kinder float returned to celebrate the release of Kinder Bueno in the United States. The float was noticeably absent in the reimagined 2020 Parade as, though it was part of the initial plans, a reduction of participants caused several units (including the Fantasy Chocolate Factory) to be pulled from the final lineup.
The float returned in 2021, coinciding with a Kinder Joy sweepstakes that offered four grandstand tickets to that year’s procession.[3] The float's appearance in the 2023 Parade was preceded by another sweepstakes—hosted by Elvis Duran and the Morning Show—that gives the winner a trip for four to New York City to see the Parade.[4] The float was given a holiday redesign that same year, coinciding with the launch Kinder's "Let That Kid Flag Fly" promotional campaign.
Guest Stars[]
Listed below are the guest stars that have appeared on the Fantasy Chocolate Factory float, alongside their respective NBC broadcast. performances.
- 2018 - Ashley Tisdale, sang "Voices In My Head"
- 2019 - Ashanti, sang "Let It Snow"[5]
- 2021 - Darren Criss, sang "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"
- 2022 - Big Time Rush, sang "Paralyzed" and "Boyfriend"
- 2023 - Pentatonix and Maria Verdeja School of the Arts, performed "Please Santa Please"
Trivia[]
- Kinder was an official partner of Santaland from 2018 until 2020.
- British pop star Ella Mai was planned to be the featured performer on the Kinder float in the reimagined 2020 Parade until its removal from the lineup.
References[]
- ↑ "Kinder To Bring Magic, Whimsy and Chocolate to the 92nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." PR Newswire. October 8, 2018.
- ↑ KAdamsbaum. "Macys Studio Tour Nov 13 2018." SmugMug.com
- ↑ Facebook post from Z100. Facebook.com. November 4, 2021.
- ↑ Elvis Duran and the Morning Show's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Sweepstakes. ElvisDuran.iHeart.com.
- ↑ British recording artist Natasha Bedingfield was the Kinder float's original performer in 2019, however her appearance was cancelled due to a family emergency.