United Feature Syndicate is a large editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1919. Originally part of E. W. Scripps Company, it was part of United Media (along with the Newspaper Enterprise Association) from 1978 to 2011, and is now a division of Andrews McMeel Syndication. United Features has syndicated many notable comic strips, including Peanuts, Garfield, Li'l Abner, Dilbert, Nancy, and Marmaduke.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
In 1983, United Feature Syndicate debuted a float in the Macy's Parade titled "America's Comic Stars". It featured many of popular comic strip/cartoon characters, such as Garfield, Odie, Marmaduke, Nancy, Sluggo, Mr. Happy and Little Miss Sunshine, among others. The float frame was a simple plus sign shape, with each square being a box for each pair of characters. 24 feet above the ground is Snoopy, perched upon his doghouse with his best bird buddy, Woodstock. This float is very similar to the Toon Balloon-Abration and the Hats Off To Our Heritage floats. The float hasn't been seen since 1984, when the Snoopy balloon returned the following year, as well as Garfield making his debut as a balloon in the 1984 Parade.
Guest Stars[]
Below, you will find a list of every performer/celebrity that has performed/appeared on the float.
- 1983 - Alfonso Ribeiro, sang "Dancing is Everything"
- 1984 - Irene Cara, sang "Flashdance... What a Feeling"