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Photos: Old Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons Included Baton-Wielding NYPD Officer

By

Jen Carlson

Published Nov 21, 2011

Modified Nov 21, 2011

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Eddie Cantor, vaudeville singer, got his own balloon in 1940.

 

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By

Jen Carlson

Published Nov 21, 2011

Modified Nov 21, 2011

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Since we last looked back at the Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons of yesteryear, some new images have popped up online. Click through for an assortment of balloons from the black & white days, along with some (in color) video footage from the 1940 parade below. Today, Ephemeral NY focused on some of the stranger balloon choices of the past, including an NYPD officer holding a baton, saying, "in 1937, a cop appeared in balloon form at the parade... I wonder how that would go over today."

Over here you can check out some fun facts about the parade (which is happening this Thursday for the 85th time), as well as some bloopers—like that time in 1957 when Popeye's sailor hat filled with water that eventually leaked all over spectators. And check out even more photos right here.

Tagged

balloon

flashback

macy's

parade

thanksgiving day parade

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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