Pillsbury is a brand name owned by General Mills and also used by The J.M. Smucker Company. Previously, Pillsbury was its own company, a rival to General Mills and one of the world's largest producers of grain and other foodstuffs, until 2001. They are also known for their Doughboy, created by Leo Burnett, who has become as iconic to the brand as the brand itself is to American baking products.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
In 2005, Pillsbury partnered with Macy's to produce an all-new float for the 2005 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float celebrated the joys of holiday baking and the essence of Pillsbury's products. The float features a playful giant oven that has come to life to bake dream-sized holiday baked goods like cookies, cinnamon rolls, and crescent rolls. Adding to the fun are oversized baking utensils including a giant whisk and spatula. Sporting his signature bakers hat and handkerchief, the loveable Pillsbury Doughboy headlines the float to capture America's heart and 'Add a Little Love' to the holiday season. The float's design provides space for the Doughboy to be joined by a guest performer. Escorting the Parade down the route, giant cookies, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls jump with joy, having been freshly baked in the holiday lovin' oven. This float was retired after the 2007 Parade.
The float escort costumed were later grouped together with the Hershey's floats chef costumes, and dubbed the "Half-Baked Holiday Sweet Clowns", who still make appearances as of the 2019 Parade.
Although there was no presence of Pillsbury in 2008, in 2009, Pillsbury also debuted a new Pillsbury Doughboy balloon. A separate article can be read here.
Guest Stars[]
Below, you will find a list of every performer/celebrity that has performed/appeared on the float, alongside the respective songs which they sang during the NBC Telecast.
- 2005 - Carrie Underwood; performed "Some Hearts"
- 2006 - The Cast of White Christmas; performed "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"
- 2007 - Boys Like Girls; performed "Hero/Heroine," accompanied by Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri with their kids, Sophie and Hunter.