Each giant balloon is guided by 80 to 100 handlers.

Roy Rochlin/NBC via Getty Images (Minion); Shutterstock.com (background)

Join the Parade!

On November 28, more than 3.5 million people are expected to line the streets of New York City. High above them, giant Spider-Man and Dora the Explorer balloons will float by. It’s time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The Macy’s department store held its first parade in 1924. The goal was to boost holiday sales. But the parade looked very different 100 years ago. Back then, it featured live animals from a local zoo. 

In 1927, Felix the Cat became the first balloon to fly in the parade. Felix was a cartoon character at the time.

New balloons are added each year. This year, about 15 character balloons will soar above the 2.5-mile parade route. Who will join the fun in 2024? 

George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images

Felix the Cat leads the parade in 1932.

  1. What do you think the expression “line the streets” means in the article? How do the photos help you understand this meaning?
  2. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “By the Numbers”?
  3. Based on the article and sidebar, describe three things a person might expect to see at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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