NEW YORK– They’re up, up and – almost – gone.
The huge helium balloons that will float through New York City the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took shape on Wednesday, when they were filled with helium ahead of the big event.
“You see these giant balloons come to life and they’re really huge,” said Stephanie Senkevich, one of the dozens of people who helped inflate the stars of Thursday’s show. “You see them start on the ground next to you, where you look bigger than them. And slowly, slowly they begin to rise right above you.”
This year, 17 giant character balloons will travel from Manhattan’s Upper West Side to Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, alongside floats, performers, marching bands and more.
There will be six new character balloons – including Minnie Mouse, Goku from ‘Dragon Ball’ and a new Spider-Man – alongside favorites like Smokey Bear and SpongeBob SquarePants.