Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Wiki

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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Wiki
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The 70th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held on November 28, 1996 in New York City, and shown to viewers live on NBC that same day from 9 a.m. to noon EST. It was hosted by Katie Couric, Willard Scott and Al Roker. The lineup featured 15 giant character balloons, 26 novelty balloons, 31 floats and falloons, 33 clown units, 13 marching bands, and a host of celebrity appearances.

Overview[]

Macy's presented yet another show-stopping procession for the Parade's 70th anniversary celebrations. In honor of the special milestone, several Parade classics were recreated for a new generation to experience. Bullwinkle J. Moose returned to the lineup after more than a decade in retirement as an all-new balloon, now joined by his best pal Rocky, wearing a beanie and a Wossa Motta U sweatshirt. Two vintage balloons were brought back as novelty balloons - Harold the Fireman and Flying Fish, and newcomer Peter Rabbit hopped from Mr. McGregor's garden to the streets of NYC.

The Tom Turkey float carried rock-and-roll legend Bo Diddley, who led the way with beautiful plumage. Parade veterans Shari Lewis and Shirley Jones returned to the lineup, waving from the Santaland Express and the Salute to Movie Musicals floats, respectively. The bright lights of Broadway lit up Herald Square with performances by Bring In 'da Noise, Bring In 'da Funk, Chicago and Rent.

Per usual, Santa Claus rode into Herald Square on his 100-foot long float, decorated with twelve-foot tall reindeer and a snow goose sleigh, signaling the start of the 1996 holiday season.

Parade Lineup[]

Listed below are the Parade elements that appeared in the 1996 line of march. Each element is listed in their respective categories/sub-categories, with sponsors in bold.

Bold indicates a new Parade element, and * indicates an element that was retired following the 1996 procession.

Balloons[]

Giant Balloons[]

Novelty Balloons[]

Floats[]

Specialty Units[]

Toy Floats[]

Marching Bands[]

Guest Stars[]

  • Parade Official Jean McFaddin
  • Bo Diddley, sang "Bo Diddley Is Crazy" (Tom Turkey)
  • Deidre Hall with the Onondaga Youth Singing Society (Soaring Spirit Canoe)
  • Joey, Matthew and Andy Lawrence, sang "Soulmates" (Chocolate Colorworks)
  • The Stars of Sesame Street, sang "A Little Bit" (Sesame Street)
  • Oksana Baiul with La Danse School of Ballet (Magical World of Mother Goose)
  • Elayne Boosler (Alice in Wonderland)
  • Liz Torres, sang "Pure Imagination" (Pure Imagination! The World of Willy Wonka)
  • The Cast of Cats (Jolly Polly Pirate Ship)
  • Lea Thompson (Sea Venture)
  • Miss America 1997 Tara Dawn Holland with Valley Stream Central High School Valley Streamers, performed "The Best of Times" (Party Time!)
  • Cruella De Vil, Horace, Jasper, Pongo and Perdy, performed "Cruella De Vil" (101 Dalmatians)
  • Dominique Dawes (Statue of Liberty)
  • Cast of Cowgirls, sang "Cowgirls" (Belgian Western Hitch Wagon)
  • Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, sang "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" accompanied by The Red River Rocky Top Cloggers (Westward Ho!)
  • Barney, Baby Bop and B.J. (Western Toy Float)
  • The Coconauts Cast (Euclid Beach Rocket Car)
  • Shirley Jones, sang "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin" (Salute to Movie Musicals)
  • Bob Dorian and Nick Clooney (Salute to Movie Musicals)
  • 1996 World Champion New York Yankees (Big Apple)
  • Vanessa Williams with Children Around the World, singed "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (Flights of Fancy)
  • Captain & Tennille, sang "Love Will Keep Us Together" (Holiday Sweets)
  • Fred the Baker and the Macy's Be-A-Star Winners (Holiday Sweets)
  • Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop with the Junior Guilders Chorus, sang "Bells in Your Heart" (Santaland Express & Coal Car)
  • Kenny Rogers, sang "'Til the Season Comes 'Round Again" (Snow Family Holiday)
  • Santa Claus (Santa's Sleigh)

Costumed Characters[]

Performance Groups[]

Pre-Parade Acts[]

Clowns[]

Stilt Walkers[]

Clown Vehicles[]

Incidents and Defects[]

Incident[]

  • Unexpected "wind demons" caused Woody Woodpecker's left hand to get torn by a tree.

Defects[]

See also[]

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