The 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held on November 24th, 2011, in New York City and shown to viewers live on NBC that same day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon EST. It was hosted by Ann Curry, Matt Lauer and Al Roker. The lineup featured 15 giant character balloons; 41 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonicles, and balloonheads; 26 floats; 1,600 cheerleaders, dancers, and performance group members; 800 clowns; 11 marching bands; and a host of celebrity performers.
Listed below are the Parade elements that appeared in the 2011 Macy's Parade, in order of appearance.
Parade Lineup[]
Macy’s Great American Marching Band
85th Anniversary Celebration Stilt Walkers
"Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade" Banner
85th Anniversary Celebration Clowns
Pilgrim Man & Woman Balloonheads
Tom Turkey by Cooking Channel (Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos with Avril Lavigne)
Funny Farm Clowns with Farm Truck
Homestead High School Mighty Mustang Marching Band & Color Guard
Woodland Family Gathering by Ocean Spray (Rodney Atkins)
1-2-3 Sesame Street by NAMM (Sesame Street Cast & Muppets)
Nutty Professor Einsteins & Wacky Graduates with School Bus
Tough Guy & Bulldog Trycaloons
Local Heroes Helping Everyday by Hamburger Helper (Ingrid Michaelson)
Funny Fire Brigade Clowns with Fire Truck
Funny Bone Medical Team with Clown Ambulance
Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Indian Band
Frozen Fall Fun by Discover (Cee Lo Green with NHL Legends Cam Neely and Larry Murphy)
Zhu-niverse! by ZhuZhu Pets (Savannah Outen and Camp Broadway)
Breakfast Clowns with Egg Trike
Home Baked Goodness by Morton Salt, Inc. (Scotty McCreery)
Half-Baked Holiday Sweet Clowns
Na Koa Ali'i: Hawaii All-State Marching Band
Jolly Polly Pirate Ship by Macy's (Michael Feinstein with The Pi-rettes Puppets)
Rocking Lobster Toy Float (Mermaid)
Silly Seaside Clowns & Bathing Beauty
E&J Productions Caribbean Costumes
Bridge to the Future by Hess Corporation (Cobra Starship)
Carmel High School Marching Greyhounds
On The Roll Again by Homewood Suites by Hilton (China Anne McClain)
Safari Clowns with Butterfly Kites & Nets
True Spirit of Thanksgiving by Oneida Indian Nation (Iroquois Dancers and Joba Chamberlain)
Snoopy as the Flying Ace Balloon
Snoopy’s Doghouse by Peanuts Worldwide (Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus)
Mount Rushmore’s American Pride by South Dakota Department of Tourism (Neil Diamond)
Wild West Express by Macy's
Big Red Shoe Car by McDonald's (Ronald McDonald and McKids)
1902 "U.S. Tableau" Circus Wagon by Big Apple Circus (Big Apple Circus)
"Happy 85th Macy’s Parade!" Banner
Hats Off To Our Heritage! by Macy's (Jean McFaddin and Robin Hall with the 85th Anniversary Celebratory Characters)
Cloe the Holiday Clown Balloon
Macy’s Parade Drum by Macy's (United We Sing and CAP 21)
George Washington & Abraham Lincoln Balloonheads
America’s Veterans United
Gift of Freedom by Macy's (United States Naval Academy Glee Club and Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan)
Big Apple by New York Daily News (Mary J. Blige)
Pep Rally by Spirit of America Productions
Marion-Carole Showboat by Macy's (Shelby Lynne)
Planters Nutmobile by Planters (Mr. Peanut)
Jack and the Beanstalk Stilt Walker
Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band
International Cele-bear-ation Clock Tower by Build-A-Bear Workshop (Zendaya)
“Super Cute” Hello Kitty Balloon
Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure by Nickelodeon (The Fresh Beat Band)
Legacy High School Lightning Marching Band
Rocking Horse Toy Float (Johnny Weir)
Smurf Mushroom House by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Papa Smurf, Smurfette and Smurf)
P.B. Polar Bear by Universal Orlando Resort
Nutty Cracker Ballet Clowns & Sugarplump Fairies
Red & Gold Christmas Ornament Balloonicle
Winter Wonderland in Central Park by Delta Air Lines (Straight No Chaser)
Macy’s REO Truck by Macy's
NYC Parks Mounted Enforcement Unit
Mama, Papa & Baby Balloonheads
Elves Raise the Roof by OfficeMax Incorporated (Mannheim Steamroller and David DeMaire Dance Studio Dancers)
Miami University Marching Band
Charlie, Kit & C.J. Elf Balloons
Santa’s Sleigh by Macy's (Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus)