Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

The night before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New Yorkers gather to watch the famous giant helium parade balloons get inflated.

A tradition since 1927, the giant character balloons are slowly blown up and brought to life in the streets around the American Museum of Natural History. The enormous balloons take up two full city blocks. Nets and sandbags are used to keep the balloons from escaping during the night.

The action starts around 4pm on Thanksgiving Eve on 77th & 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. Public viewing is from 3 pm until 8 pm. Regular attendees recommend arriving at about 5 pm when the balloons really start to take shape.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
When: Wednesday, November 24, 2010, approximately 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Central Park West and Columbus Avenue on 77th and 81st Streets

Voici une vidéo du gonflage des ballons en 2008