The Sky Elephant was a giant helium character balloon that appeared in the Macy's Christmas Parade in 1928.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Sky Elephant made its debut in the 1928 Parade, as one of the first-ever giant helium character balloons to be flown in the famed holiday spectacle. The balloon, designed by parade director Tony Sarg, featured an elephant - light blue in color - stomping its way along the streets of Manhattan with the help of handlers in its feet.
The balloon was one of the five that was released at the procession's 34th Street culmination point, with a $500 reward for whoever found the 40-foot rubber carcass. The Sky Elephant only made one appearance in the Parade and has since not been brought back. However, Sky Elephant later appeared at the Boston Santason Parade in 1929, 1932, 1933, and 1934. But, after those appearances, the balloon was disposed of.