With December officially starting, it's safe to say most of us have just finished burning off the effects of Thanksgiving's daylong turkey, stuffing, and pie binge. If you're anything like me, you're already looking forward to doing it all over again next year. There will forever be something irreplaceable about waking up to watch the legendary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with a cup of hot chocolate, while surrounded by family. With the holidays being all about recognizing unique family traditions, my day tends to be spent a bit differently: as a clown in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! While you probably already know, the parade, which just celebrated its 90th successful year, is a three-hour event through the streets of New York, featuring performances by celebrities, balloons, clowns, floats, and tons of confetti. While it's definitely an amazing thing to watch on TV, keep scrolling for some behind-the-scenes things you may not already know about the annual celebration...
The Actual Start Time...
While you may cherish getting to sleep in and roll out of bed to watch, those walking in the parade have to be at Macy's before 6 am. For the many people traveling from outside the city, that means waking up extremely early. With a long day full of holiday spirit and cheer in front of you, that means one thing: coffee.
The Preparation...
While millions of people each year get to appreciate the finished product, there's a lot that goes into the parade beforehand which typically goes unnoticed. After arriving at Macy's bright and early, the clowns are quickly ushered into costumes and makeup. Pretty soon, the entire building is full of ridiculous outfits, smiles, and lots of confetti! (See the above pic for the long line for the ~clown~ bathroom)
The Logistics...
Viewers everywhere watch the floats and balloons, but the whole event actually lasts way longer than just the three hours it's live on TV. After changing into costume at Macy's, all participants are bussed up to 81st Street, where they wait patiently (for hours) until it's time to officially join the parade. At this time, the musical numbers (like the famous Rockettes) are rehearsing their acts one last time down on 34th Street, while the featured celebrities are carted to their respective floats. No matter the weather, the streets are filled with excited clowns--and tons of people snapping pictures of them.
A Clown Can Do Anything...
Dressed so ridiculously, there's nothing you can't get away with. Donning a clown poncho and elf ears, you're pretty much free to mess around with whomever and whatever you want. This includes the other parade members, the crowd, and even the parade's NYPD security team. The crazier, the better!
The Importance Of Tradition...
Over the years, many people ask if being in the parade ever "gets old" (which it doesn't), or maybe even complain about seeing the same attractions from year-to-year. However, that's the whole point! Like Thanksgiving Day itself, the parade is about celebrating tradition and annually spreading happiness to people nationwide. Growing up with the same people, floats, and characters is part of what makes it so cool.
The "Magic Of Macy's..."
Like the slogan says, Macy's really is magical. If you couldn't already tell, there are so many details which must be micromanaged in order to put on such an amazing parade. And Macy's does it all! They have hundreds of employees stationed throughout the building and along the route, ready to help anyone in need. And that's just the day of--there are people working hard all year-round to ensure everything runs so smoothly!
The Power Of A Little Spirit...
Walking the parade route is an experience like no other. Running through the streets, giving high-fives and throwing confetti to the thousands of people in the crowd is so much fun. It's amazing to see the power that a smile or a little holiday cheer has on people of all ages, and it's great to be able to brighten a stranger's Thanksgiving Day.
For anyone who's watched, been to, or been in the parade themselves, it's easy to tell how special it really is. While being a clown is obviously silly and fun, it has taught me a lot about the importance of family, tradition, and positivity at large. Whether you're dressed up in full clown costume or in everyday clothes, the spreading of happiness and spirit truly has a huge impact, no matter what.
