Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1 of 10
What was the first balloon ever used in the parade?
Mickey Mouse
Uncle Sam
Felix the Cat
Tom Turkey
ANSWER: In 1927, Felix was the first balloon used in the parade. Prior to that, actual animals were used from the Central Park Zoo. (They didn't float. They walked.) In 1927, Felix was the first balloon used in the parade. Prior to that, actual animals were used from the Central Park Zoo. (They didn't float. They walked.)
2 of 10
The balloons used to be released at the end of the parade. The lucky people who found them and brought them back to Macy’s won what?
A pie
A holiday ham
A part in the parade the next year
A monetary reward from Macy's
ANSWER: Different sources cite different amounts, but we know for sure that Macy's rewarded people for returning the balloons. Different sources cite different amounts, but we know for sure that Macy's rewarded people for returning the balloons.
3 of 10
Which balloon character has not crashed into a lamp post, either injuring someone or causing severe damage to the post?
Cheeseasaurus Rex
Cat in the Hat
Sonic the Hedgehog
Raggedy Ann
ANSWER: In 1986, Raggedy Ann crashed into a lamp post and knocked the lamp part into the street. No one was hurt. In '93, Sonic bumped a lamp post and injured an off-duty police officer. And in 1997, the Cat in the Hat hit a post. The falling debris hit a woman and left her in a coma for a month. In 1986, Raggedy Ann crashed into a lamp post and knocked the lamp part into the street. No one was hurt. In '93, Sonic bumped a lamp post and injured an off-duty police officer. And in 1997, the Cat in the Hat hit a post. The falling debris hit a woman and left her in a coma for a month.
4 of 10
Who has not hosted the television broadcast of the parade?
Ed McMahon
Betty White
Dick Clark
Willard Scott
ANSWER: He has produced and made the occasional guest appearance, but never hosted. He has produced and made the occasional guest appearance, but never hosted.
5 of 10
At what landmark are the balloons inflated the night before the parade?
The Met
The American Museum of Natural History
Giants Stadium
MoMA
6 of 10
Which character has never been featured as a balloon in the parade?
Smokey the Bear
The Snuggle Bear
Shamu
Strawberry Shortcake
ANSWER: Smokey debuted in 1966, Snuggle Bear debuted in '87 and Shamu debuted in '86. Smokey debuted in 1966, Snuggle Bear debuted in '87 and Shamu debuted in '86.
7 of 10
Some character balloons are used every year, but some are totally redesigned to give them new life. What character has had the most redesigns over the years?
Snoopy
Big Bird
Mickey Mouse
Kermit the Frog
ANSWER: Snoopy is on his sixth version. He was "Aviator Snoopy" in 1968, "Astronaut Snoopy" in 1969 and "Skating Snoopy" in 1987. In 1988, he paired up with Woodstock, but the 1999 "Millenium Snoopy" was solo again, as was the Flying Ace Snoopy of 2006. Snoopy is on his sixth version. He was "Aviator Snoopy" in 1968, "Astronaut Snoopy" in 1969 and "Skating Snoopy" in 1987. In 1988, he paired up with Woodstock, but the 1999 "Millenium Snoopy" was solo again, as was the Flying Ace Snoopy of 2006.
8 of 10
What movie brought the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade into the national spotlight?
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
The Bells of St. Mary's
Miracle on 34th St.
ANSWER: From Wikipedia: Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is indignant to find that the person (Percy Helton) assigned to play Santa in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is intoxicated. When he complains to the event's director, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), she persuades Kris to replace him. He does such a fine job that he is hired to be the Santa for Macy's flagship New York City store on 34th Street at Herald Square. From Wikipedia: Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is indignant to find that the person (Percy Helton) assigned to play Santa in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is intoxicated. When he complains to the event's director, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), she persuades Kris to replace him. He does such a fine job that he is hired to be the Santa for Macy's flagship New York City store on 34th Street at Herald Square.
9 of 10
What is the proper name for a float with a balloon on it?
Bloat
Falloon
Floatoon
ANSWER: Although that's actually a balloonicle in the picture - a self-powered balloon vehicle. A falloon is a regular float that has a balloon sitting on it. Picture courtesy of Flickr user Peval. Although that's actually a balloonicle in the picture - a self-powered balloon vehicle. A falloon is a regular float that has a balloon sitting on it. Picture courtesy of Flickr user Peval.
10 of 10
When the parade was cancelled from 1942-1944 because of WWII, the balloons were deflated so the rubber could be donated to the war effort. How much rubber was donated?
2,000 pounds
650 pounds
10,000 pounds
150 pounds
ANSWER: Olive made the first female appearance in 1982. Raggedy Ann followed in 1984 and Betty Boop in '85. Miss Mouse has yet to make an appearance. Olive made the first female appearance in 1982. Raggedy Ann followed in 1984 and Betty Boop in '85. Miss Mouse has yet to make an appearance.
