The 77th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2003)

The 77^th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held on November 27, 2003, 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, Matt Lauer, and Al Roker. The lineup featured 15 giant character balloons, 21 floats and falloons, ten high school and college marching bands, eight performance groups, 30 clown groups, ten large singing and theatrical groups, a host of celebrity performers, and the one-and-only Santa Claus.

Parade Lineup[]

Listed below are the parade elements that appeared in the 2003 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They are categorized by unit type, with their respective sponsors in bold. Home locations of talent ensembles are featured in brackets, and the guest star’s float appearances are indicated in bold.

Bold denotes a new parade element, an underline indicates a unit that was brought back after an absence, a ~~strikethrough~~ signifies a parade unit that was sidelined before or during the march, and an asterisk (*) indicates an element that was retired after the 2003 Parade.

Balloons[]

Giant Balloons[]

"Strike Up the Band" Barney (HiT Entertainment) - 1st time
Big Bird (Sesame Workshop) - 3rd time
Arthur* (Marc Brown Studios) - 6th time^[1]
Pikachu (Pokémon USA) - 3rd time
Little Bill (Nickelodeon) - 2nd time
Clifford the Big Red Dog (Scholastic) - 11th time
Mr. Monopoly (Parker Brothers) - 2nd time
Charlie Brown & The Elusive Football (United Feature Syndicate, Inc.) - 2nd time
Super Grover (Sesame Workshop) - 1st time
Cheesasaurus Rex* (Kraft Macaroni & Cheese) - 3rd time
Wild Thing* (HarperCollins Children's Books) - 4th time
Ronald McDonald (McDonald's Corporation) - 4th time
Jimmy Neutron* (Nickelodeon) - 3rd time
Kermit the Frog (The Jim Henson Company) - 2nd time
Garfield (Paws Inc.) - 1st time

Novelty Balloons[]

Turkey* (Macy's) - 1st time
Macy's Yellow Stars (Macy's) - 2nd time
Pumpkins (Macy's) - 1st time
The Centennial* (Macy's) - 2nd time
Alphabet* (Macy's) - 15th time
Happy Hippo* (Macy's) - 3rd time
Freida the Dachshund (Universal Studios Orlando) - 1st time
Baseball and Basketball* (Macy's) - 8th time (Baseball); 12th time (Basketball)
White Macy's Stars (Macy's) - 5th time
Harold the Fireman (Macy's) - 8th time
Americana (Macy's) - 4th time
Uncle Sam (Macy's) - 2nd time
Flying Fish (Macy's) - 6th time
Toy Soldier (Macy's) - 2nd time
Blue Macy's Stars (Macy's) - 1st time
Ice Cream Cone* (Macy's) - 17th time
Cloe the Holiday Clown* (Macy's) - 10th time
Elf (Macy's) - 4th time
Red Macy's Stars (Macy's) - 2nd time

Balloonheads[]

The Marx Brothers (Macy's) - 1st time
Mama, Papa & Baby (Macy's) - 1st time

Floats[]

Cornucopia* (Macy's) - 7th time
M&M's Network* (M&M's Chocolate Candies) - 6th time
Sesame Street* (Sesame Workshop) - 2nd time
greendog's world (greendog) - 3rd time
Bridge to the Future (Amerada Hess Corporation) - 1st time
Bob the Builder with Wendy and Muck (HIT Entertainment) - 3rd time
Fun Abounds on the Big Comfy Couch* (Tadpole Entertainment) - 1st time
Carousel of Imagination (The LEGO Company) - 2nd time
Teddy Bear's Workshop (Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.) - 2nd time
Animal Planet (Animal Planet) - 5th time
Angelina Ballerina (HIT Entertainment) - 2nd time
Wild West Express Train* (Macy's) - 18th time
A Celebration of the New Arrivals* (Marshmallow Peeps) - 1st time
Barney's Playtime in the Park (HIT Entertainment) - 2nd time
The Big Apple* (The New York Daily News) - 20th time
Statue of Liberty (Macy's) - 11th time
Pep Rally* (Mike Miller & Associates) - 8th time
Spirit of America (United States Postal Service) - 1st time
Jolly Polly Pirate Ship* (Wiggles Touring Pty, Ltd.) - 10th time
Expedition to the Top of Rhino Mountain (*Ecko Unlimited) - 1st time
Percy & the P-Birds* (Macy's) - 1st time
American Classic Malt Shop (Amica Insurance) - 1st time
Marion-Carol Showboat (macys.com) - 2nd time
Kids' Candy Creation Lab (Hershey Foods Corporation) - 2nd time
A Christmas Carol* (Radio City Entertainment) - 2nd time
Santa's Sleigh (Macy's) - 26th time

Specialty Units[]

New York Police Department Motorcycle Unit - 19th time
"Holiday Treat for Children Everywhere" Banner (Macy's) - 23rd time
Macy's REO Delivery Truck* (Macy's) - 9th time
Pokémobile (Pokémon USA) - 3rd time
Parks Enforcement Mounted Patrol Unit - 18th time
"If You Haven't Seen Macy's, You Haven't Seen New York" Banner* (Macy's) - 23rd time
New York Police Department Mounted Unit - 77th time
Planters Nut Mobile (Planters Peanuts) - 2nd time
Carnivale Wagon* (Big Apple Circus) - 1st time
Circus Calliope Wagon* (Big Apple Circus) - 1st time
Big Red Shoe Car (McDonald's Corporation) - 4th time

Toy Floats[]

Mr. Snail* (Macy's) - 28th time
Rocking Tortoise (Macy's) - 25th time
Rocking Horse (Macy's) - 45th time

Marching Bands[]

Pulaski High School Red Raider Marching Band (Pulaski, WI), performed "All That Jazz"
Franklin Regional High School Band (Murrysville, PA), performed "Sing, Sing, Sing"
Bloomington High School North Cougar Marching Band (Bloomington, IN), performed "R.O.C.K. in the USA"
Colleyville Heritage Panther Band (Colleyville, TX), performed "La Nouba"
Port Chester High School Marching Band (Port Chester, New York), performed "Farandole"
Roosevelt High School Rough Riders Band and Color Guard (Honolulu, HI), performed "A Hawaiian March"
NYPD Marching Band (New York, NY), performed "Theme from The Magnificent Seven"
Jones High School Marching Band (Orlando, FL), performed "Hey Let's Go"
Lowndes High School Georgia Bridgemen (Valdosta, GA), performed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)"
Pinson Valley Marching Chiefs (Pinson, AL), performed "Big Noise from Winnetka"
Miami University Marching Band (Oxford, OH), performed "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"

Guest Stars[]

Parade Officials Robin Hall and Chris Meier
The Special Olympic Athletes
Judy Collins, sang "Trust Your Heart" (Cornucopia)
Simple Plan, sang "Addicted" (M&M's Network)
The Cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, sang "Good Morning World" (Sesame Street)
Stacie Orrico, sang "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life" (greendog's world)
Ruben Studdard, sang "Sorry 2004" (Bridge to the Future)
Loonette, Molly and Friends, sang "Hop to It" (Fun Abounds on the Big Comfy Couch)
Peter Cincotti, sang "My Favorite Things" (Carousel of Imagination)
Aaron Carter, sang "One Better" (Teddy Bear's Workshop)
Cast Members from Days of Our Lives (Wedding Bell-y Laffs Limo)
Kool & The Gang, sang "Jungle Boogie" (Animal Planet)
Jeff Corwin and Matt Gallant (Animal Planet)
The New York City Ballet with the School of American Ballet, performed "Harlequinade" (Angelina Ballerina)
Cast Members from Happy Family (Wild West Express Train)
Old Crow Medicine Show, performed "Hard to Love" (A Celebration of the New Arrivals)
Barney, Baby Bop and B.J., sang "Best Manners Medley" (Barney's Musical Playground)
Miss U.S.A. 2003 Susie Castillo (The Big Apple)
Bernie Williams (The Big Apple)
USO of Metropolitan New York and Camp Broadway, sang "When Hope Was There" (Statue of Liberty)
Ann Hampton Callaway and Peter Nero, performed "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (Spirit of America)
The Wiggles, sang "Central Park New York" (Jolly Polly Pirate Ship)
Mya, sang "Fallen" (Expedition to the Top of Rhino Mountain)
Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Hamburglar and Birdie the Early Bird (Big Red Shoe Car)
Harvey Fierstein and The Dynamites from Hairspray, sang "Santa Knows" (Percy & the P-Birds)
Hilary Duff, sang "So Yesterday" (American Classic Malt Shop)
Chicago, sang "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" (Marion-Carol Showboat)
Clay Aiken, sang "Silver Bells" (Kids Candy Creation Lab)
Jim Dale and the Cast of A Christmas Carol, performed "Mr. Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball" (World of A Christmas Carol)
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus (Santa's Sleigh)

Special Characters[]

Macy's Holiday Bears (Macy's REO Delivery Truck)
Green M&M (M&M's Network)
greendog (greendog's world)
Bearemy Bear and Pawlette Coufur (Teddy Bear's Workshop)
Rainbow Cubs
Mother Goose (Mr. Snail)
Piggley Winks
Miss Muffet
Old King Cole
Alice in Wonderland (Rocking Tortoise)
Power Panther
Charmin Bear
Wild Thing
Inflatable Rhinos (Expedition to the Top of Rhino Mountain)
Wompkee
Captain Macy (Marion-Carol Showboat)
Elf

Performance Groups[]

Danza Fiesta Dance Company (New York, NY), performed "Carnival"
Firecrackers Jump Roping Team (Strongsville, OH), performed "Even Hamsters Fall In Love"
Heartland Hoedowners (Elkhorn, NE), performed "Alabama Jubilee"
Kilgore College Rangerettes (Kilgore, TX), performed "Deep in the Heart of Texas"
National All-Star Color Guard (Nationwide), performed "Rock That"
Universal Cheerleaders & Dance Association (Nationwide), performed "American Medley"
Mobile Azalea Trail Maids (Mobile, AL)
Mike Miller Dance Team (Nationwide), performed "Rock and Roll Christmas"

Pre-Parade Acts[]

America Sings!, performed "Big City Swing"
Never Gonna Dance, performed "I Won't Dance"
Wicked, performed "One Short Day"
Little Shop of Horrors, performed "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Suddenly Seymour"
The Boy From Oz, performed "When I Get My Name in Lights"
The Radio City Rockettes, performed "Holiday Jazz"

Clowns[]

Skating Clowns - 34th time
Macy*s Parade Skaters - 2nd time
Countdown Clowns - 10th time
Keystone Kops & Robbers - 7th time
Hula Hoop Clowns - 12th time
Jogging Wheel Clowns - 10th time
Birthday Clowns - 9th time
Wedding Bell-y Laffs Limo Service* - 3rd time
Tropical Fruit Clowns - 8th time
Funny Farm Produce Clowns - 10th time
Cactus & Cowboys Clowns - 10th time
Flower Pots and Bees - 1st time
Uptown Doggie Walkers - 10th time
All-Star Baseball Clowns - 2nd time
Holiday Clowns - 10th time
Funny Business Clowns - 3rd time
Funny Firefighter Brigade - 5th time
Funny Bone Medical Team - 19th time
Patriotic Clowns - 8th time
Rain Ballet Clowns - 10th time
Bathtub and Bathing Beauties Clowns - 5th time
Elephant Clowns* - 10th time
Clown Kazoo Band - 4th time
Circus Clowns - 4th time
Class Clowns - 4th time
Holiday Lanes Bowling League - 11th time
Banana Split Clowns - 8th time
Jester Clowns - 7th time
Ornament Clowns - 3rd time
Sleepy Clowns - 4th time

Stilt Walkers[]

Toy Soldier - 1st time
Elf - 1st time
Groom* - 3rd time

Clown Cars[]

Wedding Bell-y Laffs Limo* - 3rd time
Funny Farm Produce Truck - 10th time
Clown Taxi - 3rd time
Fire Engine - 19th time
Clown Ambulance - 19th time
Rub-A-Dub Bathtub - 5th time
Parade Drums - 2nd time
Banana Split Vehicle - 4th time

Trivia[]

This is the only post-1973 Parade that does not include the Tom Turkey float. It was mentioned that he had taken a "Thanksgiving off", and was replaced by the Cornucopia float.
Katie Couric's daughter appeared on Amica Insurance's American Classic Malt Shop Float with Hilary Duff.

Incident[]

The sun caused helium inside of the Turkey novelty balloon's tail feathers to expand, and later exploded. The rest of the balloon remained undamaged, however.

NBC Credits[]

For NBC[]

Executive Producer: Brad Lachman
Producer: Bill Bracken
Directed by: Gary Halvorson
Written by: Tony Garofalo
Musical Director: Milton DeLugg
Executive in Charge of Production: Curt Sharp
Operations Producer: Steve Fastook
Senior Production Manager: Carmela Tripodi
Script Supervisor: Becky Schraeger
Assistant to the Executive Producer: Ann King
Segment Producer: Mike Mathis
Art Director: John Wright Stevens
Script Coordinators: Lisa Yonemura Gabriele, Todd Livingston
Production Operations Manager - Uptown: Mary Gallagher
Technical Manager: Mike Matthews
Production Coordinators: Jim Idiart, Lauren Miller, Rebecca Hoffman, Duane Evans, Jayson Dinsmore
Music Assistant: Edward Simmons
Talent Assistant: Shawna Hassett
Production Assistants: Jennifer Ahern, David Batista, Sarah Given, Lisa Hampton, Christopher Homewood, Josh Lasser, Todd Lichten, Andrew Petit, Meghan Schlinder, Sarah Walker
Equipment Coordinator: Bob Sazer
Technical Directors: Jim Johnson, Steve Cimino
Associate Directors: Christine Bradley, Joyce Hurley, Rich O'Conner
Music Coordinator: John L. Rodby
Stage Managers: Ric E. Anderson, Russell Cooper, Cindy Flood Jacobson, Smith Sumroy, Anne-Louise Wallace
Lighting Director: Geoff Amoral
Audio: Ed Greene, Steve Singer, Chris Acker, Allan Bonomo, Joel Spector, Dick Maitland, Robert Pallidino
Announcer: Joel Godard
Audio Assists: George Acker, Joop de Korte, Tracy Dell, Kim Dougherty, Matt Martinez, Chris McKevitt, Ed Rutolo, John Gernand
Radio Frequency: Chris Papas, Bob Streeter, Robert Weigand, Ed Wieczorek, Mike Sarno, Eugene Goldovsky, Frank Mulder
Senior Video: Stanley Bosill, Vince Bailey
Video: Oliver Bosill, Harvey Niel Szajt
Videotape: Dick Leible, S.H. Skorupka
Editor: Ben Ortiz
Camera: John Atkinson, Juan Berrara, Jim Corgan, Kenneth Decker, Rick Fox, Brian Phraner, Greg Kasoff, Adam Keith, Cory Leible, Richard Leible, Jr., Jim Mott, Christopher Nye, Ron Sheldon, Anthony Tarantino, Damien Tufferau, Harry Weisman
Camera Utility: David Anderwkavich, Mike Barsky, Dean Baxter, Maxine Brown, Brian Duffy, David Farris, Gregg Friedman, Ryan Fox, Travis Glynn, John Kalody, Joseph Leible, Bob Mancari, Brian Melanson, Max Munnich, Peter Phraner, Carlos Rios, Jason Sazer
Lighting Utility: Gary Amoral, Philip Fries, William McGuinness, Dan Wekselblatt
Electronic Graphics: Karl D. Kaessler
Engineer in Charge: Tim Kubit
Graphic Design: Design on the Fly
Make-Up/Hair: Deborah Bell, Laura Bonani, Ana Febres, Mary Kahler
Wardrobe: Jim Collum
Props: Ray Howell, Henry Knoble
Electronic Maintenance: Marty Carver, Andy Fowler, Hugh Healy, Mike Noseworthy, Sam Sambataro, Rob Weigand
Driver: Frank Lewis
Music Recording Engineer: Don Hunerberg
Assistant Recording Engineer: Arnold Mischkulnig
Music Clearance: Loretta Desmond, Cira Limoli
Finance: Chris Brown
Teleprompter: Dean Rogich, Bob Hall, Mariclare Mullane
Cue Cards: Steve Burm, Steve King, Ryan Meagher, Pete Levin
Staging Crew: Joe Daly, Kevin Clifford, Rich Clifford, John Homer, Joe Larosa, Jr., Alan McComber, Rich Williams, Vinny Newman
Logistics: Patty Jones, Nancy Wayne, John LoRusso, Rob Hessdorf
Satellite Operations: Marc Weinstock

For Macy's[]

Executive Producer: Robin Hall
Director: William Schermerhorn
Parade Studio Director: John Piper
Producer: Amy Kule
Operations Director: Bob Rutan
Production Managers: Scott Byers, Dahlia Cohen, Jordan Dabby, Trish Ketelsen, Kimberly Montgomery, Nancy Rosenberg
Production Coordinators: Diana Roio, Ashley Siskey, Carla Strickland-Bargh, Wesley Whatley, Christy Wilfore
Parade Studio Management: Bill Barton, Robin Erichsen, Jerry Ospa
Parade Studio Staff: Jim Artle, John Cheney, Tom Engstrom, Adam Freeman, Alan Gallagher, Jamal Haiat, Dany Jones, Beth Lucas, Jennifer Palmer, Robert Pfitzenmeier, Dennis Salerno, Anne Silvernail, Jim Villano, Cory Watson
Publicity: Ronnie Taffet, Elina Kazan, Katie Wadhams, Deanna Williams, Orlando Veras

Reference[]

↑ The 2003 Macy's Parade marked the Arthur balloon's first apperance since 2001.

[1] The 2003 Macy's Parade marked the Arthur balloon's first apperance since 2001.

[1]