Image gallery for SEGA's radical and speedy video game mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog .
Sonic the Hedgehog (1993-1997) [ ]
Development and Creation [ ]
The original sketch of the balloon, drawn by Manfred Bass.
Scale model of the original Sonic balloon.
Sonic under construction at Aerostar International.
Balloonfest 1993 [ ]
The original Sonic balloon during its test flight. This footage would later be used during the 1993 NBC telecast.
1993 [ ]
(Screenshot: Jennifer Gee)
The balloon being deflated after the accident.
1994 [ ]
(Credit: Sandy Boone Damhof)
Sonic leads the parade during his appearance in the 1994 NBC telecast; later used as stock footage in the 1995 and 1997 NBC Telecast. (Credit: NBC)
1995 [ ]
1996 [ ]
Sonic during his appearance on the 1996 NBC telecast. (Credit: NBC)
(Screenshot: Nobuo_New York)
1997 [ ]
The balloon is being checked one last time before takeoff.
Other [ ]
His legs are noticeably miscolored here.
Sonic on the promotional art for Macy's Balloon-A-Thon along with other balloon characters.
The balloon's model in 2004.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2011-2013, 2021) [ ]
Development and Creation [ ]
The second Sonic balloon model at Balloonfest 2011.
Balloonfest 2011 [ ]
2011 [ ]
Sonic runs (or rather, flies) down Broadway in the 2011 Parade.
The new Sonic balloon leads the Parade again on the 2011 Parade NBC Telecast. (Credit: NBC)
2012 [ ]
Sonic alongside the other 81st Street balloons before the 2012 parade
Sonic the Hedgehog balloon in the 2012 Parade on the NBC telecast.
2013 [ ]
The Sonic the Hedgehog balloon watches over Spirit Of America Dance at the start of the 2013 Parade.
Sonic the Hedgehog balloon in his final flight of his original run down the Parade Route in the 2013 Parade on the NBC Telecast
2021 [ ]
Sonic making his grand return in the 2021 NBC telecast.
Other [ ]
The Inflation Instructions of the second Sonic balloon
Sonic begins his test flight in 2011 at DakotaDome.