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 Thanksgiving Day 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 a selected pair of characters. 24 feet above the ground is Snoopy, perched upon his doghouse with his best bird buddy, Woodstock. The float would be retired after the 1984 Parade.
Guest Stars[]
Listed below are the guest stars that have performed/appeared on the float, alongside the respective songs in which they've sang during the NBC telecast.
- 1983 - Alfonso Ribeiro, sang "Dancing is Everything"
- 1984 - Irene Cara, sang "Flashdance... What a Feeling"