h. nazan ışık—

23 November 2018—

November! Such a busy month it has been. Annual New York City Marathon, a decision of Amazon’s Headquarters expansion to Long Island City, unexpected snow storm, Macy’s Parade balloon inflation, Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Black Friday and Anti-Amazon protests on Black Friday. If it is not enough, don’t worry. Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday are on the way.

But today let’s stay with the Macy’s Annual balloon inflation on the night before Thanksgiving, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Very cold temperatures didn’t stop Annual Macy’s Parade Balloon Inflation and Thanksgiving Day Parade celebration.

On the night before Thanksgiving, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Commissioner James O’Neill delivered remarks on security measures and expected severe weather for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette on Thanksgiving Parade line-up.

“For The 92nd edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade the line-up will feature 16 giant character balloons; 43 novelty balloons, heritage balloons, balloonicles, balloonheads and trycaloons; 26 floats; 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers; more than 1,000 clowns; and 12 marching bands,” said CEO Jeff Gennette.

Mayor de Blasio reminded how cold it is going to be. “Get ready for an amazing parade, but put on every layer you have in your household, wear every glove you can find, every scarf, hand warmers, whatever you got you are going to need it tomorrow. It is going to be really, really cold. So it is my responsibility to tell people, we expect very cold temperatures, extreme cold starts tonight, freezing temperatures and gusty winds. Keep your outsite time limited,” he said.

Mayor de Blasio left, crew members continued to inflate balloons.

Olaf looked like watching the workers.

All of a sudden, unexpectedly, it started to rain. Everyone was surprised.

“Is it rain, is it snow, is it rain, is it ice? What is it?” they asked each other.

“It is all of it. It is sleet!” one answered loudly.

Obviously, Mayor de Blasio had no idea that the sleet was coming.

Fortunately it didn’t last long. And everyone carried on with what they were doing. In this picture crew working on the wet ‘Power Rangers’ character.

Power Rangers is a big balloon with different sections. I heard someone with an instruction in his hand saying: “ Now we are working on the left leg,”, “Now rights leg,”, “Now left arm,”…and so on. A crew member was working on the ‘Power Rangers’.

‘The Elf on the Shelf’ looked like ready for the parade, and resting.

But ‘The Sinklair’s Dino’, and ‘Paw Patrol’ were so alert, looked like securing, protecting their balloon friends.

“Paw Patrol” with wide open eyes was as if ready to patrol.

Everything, every balloon was inflamed and ready for the big day.

Good night balloons!

And it was the morning, the parade started at 9:00 am. And yes, the Mayor was right. It was very cold.

‘Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree’ was cheering up every spectator.

One of the new additions to Macy’s balloons this year ‘Sunny the Snowpal’ was smiling at people who came in this bitterly cold weather.

And Santa’s Sleigh! Santa was weaving his hand, greeting spectators. Everybody was screaming; “Santa, Santa, look here,” trying to get a picture of him.

  

And finally Macy’s Red ‘Believe’ Stars’, the last balloons of the parade, end the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Photos: © h. nazan ışık /NKENdiKEN

© h. nazan ışık