The Springtime Clowns (formerly Flower Pots and Bees) are a clown unit from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Flower Pots and Bees debuted n the 2003 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade featuring an array of blooming Flowers and buzzing Bees led by their Queen Bee. The clown group returned the following year, escorting the new Wiggle Worm novelty balloon en route to 34th Street.
In 2007, Gardeners with potted plant hats and green thumbs joined the season-of-renewal funny folks, and the unit's name was changed to the "Springtime Clowns." The clown group became frequent Parade participants, often seen travelling the Parade route with the Rocking Tortoise toy float and the Wompkee specialty character.
In 2019, the float escorts from the recently-retired King's Hawaiian float were added to the Springtime Clowns group, providing a tropical array of lush flowers. Stilt walkers of Hibiscus were also added to the group.
The Springtime Clowns were initially set to make their mask-clad appearance in the reimagined 2020 Parade. However, rising COVID-19 cases in New York City throughout the fall of 2020 caused many Parade elements to be pulled from the lineup in the weeks leading up to the Parade, including the Springtime Clowns.
The clown group bloomed to life for the crowd once again as they returned to the lineup for the 2021 Macy's Parade, with the addition of flower parasols from the POP! Flowers unit.