The figure of Mother Goose is the imaginary and fictional author of a collection of French fairy tales and later of English nursery rhymes. As a character, she appeared in a song, the first stanza of which often functions now as a nursery rhyme. This, however, was dependent on a Christmas pantomime, a successor to which is still performed in the United Kingdom.
The term's appearance in English dates back to the early 18th century, when Charles Perrault's fairy tale collection, Contes de ma Mère l'Oye, was first translated into English as Tales of My Mother Goose. Later a compilation of English nursery rhymes, titled Mother Goose's Melody, or, Sonnets for the Cradle, helped perpetuate the name both in Britain and the United States.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Mother Goose (1958)[]
Mother Goose made her Parade debut in 1958. The float would make appearances until 1962. She returned in 40th Macy's Parade and was retired after the 1967 Parade.
Mother Goose (1973)[]
The second Mother Goose float debuted in 1973 and briefly retired in 1974. She returned in 1976 and was once again briefly retired after the 1981 Parade. The float returned in 1986 and stayed in the lineup for four more years before officially retiring after the 1990 Parade.
Story Time (2006)[]
A new Mother Goose float once again debuted in the Macy's 80th Anniversary Parade. This time, it featured a massive sculpture of Mother Goose leaping off the pages of classic fairy tales. On the top of the Goose's head, a crown doubles as a nest for her children, with a throne on her back, making room for the guest star. At the rear of the float, a book titled "Storytime" makes room for a guest star as well. The float only appeared in the 2006 Parade but was later moved to Universal Studios Florida, where it remained until 2014.
Guest Stars[]
Listed below are the guest stars that have performed/appeared on the float, alongside the respective songs which they sang during the NBC Telecast.
Mother Goose (1958)[]
- 1958 - Dolores Hart
- 1959 - Pat Carroll
- 1961 - Martha Wright, sang "Do-Re-Mi"
- 1962 - Frank Fontaine
- 1966 - Teresa Brewer sang "Jingle Bell Rock"
- 1967 - Dionne Warwick
Mother Goose (1973)[]
- 1979 - The Harlem Children's Theatre
- 1981 - Nell Carter sang "Cash for Your Trash"
- 1986 - Phyllis Diller
- 1987-1988 - Dr. Joyce Brothers
- 1989 - Buddy Hackett
- 1990 - Dr. Joyce Brothers
Story Time (2006)[]
- 2006 - Julie Andrews sang "The Show Must Go on" with performance by The School of American Ballet