Thanksgiving! A time for fun, food, family, fellowship, football, fondling, ... errr, scratch that last one. We were running out of f-words (the clean ones anyway). Oh, and “floats”! Yep, lots and lots of floats will be seen as we sit around the TV (or take to the streets for you lucky s.o.b.s in NYC) for the viewing of the Macys’ Thanksgiving Day Parade! The annual parade has become as much of an American tradition as eating a s@#t-ton of turkey and passing out on the couch like a heap of overly-stuffed parade balloons; but filled with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie instead of helium. Speaking of balloons, those are possibly everyone’s favorite part of the spectacle each year. (Don’t lie to us and say it’s the marching bands. No one is gonna believe that.) With that in mind, MTV Geek welcomes you to our list of the Top Ten Geekiest Parade Balloons!
The Macys’ Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an annual event since 1924; but, the giant helium-filled balloons you all know and love weren’t brought into play until 1927. So, we only had to comb through 83 years of parade-history (81 not counting the 2 years when there was no parade due to being way too busy with WWII) to bring you this list. By all means, let’s get this thing started!
10. Popeye
Since his inception, Popeye has remained alive within the popular consciousness in one form or another. Whether it be cartoons, comic strips, or a god-awful film starring Robin Williams; Popeye is here to stay. Thankfully, he is a testament to us all; proving that even a squinty-eyed, bow-legged, seaman could get the girl. We guess it’s only fitting that the fictional sailor scored himself a giant balloon. Just look at that thing! Give it a little spinach and it could level all of Manhattan!
9. Buzz Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear hit the parade-scene in 2007 with this balloon… and why not? He’s pretty much the perfect fit for the job with his whole schtick about believing he can fly (in the first Toy Story only…we know!) and all that “To infinity and beyond!” razz-ma-tazz. Sure, Pixar & Disney may have grossed billions of dollars from the Toy Story movies; but, that doesn’t mean anything! Success is really measured in helium!
8. Aviator Snoopy
Snoopy. Now that’s one great dog! Not only does he selflessly put up with his master’s constant whining and self-loathing; but, Snoopy also moonlights as a fighter pilot. This balloon pays fitting tribute to the K-9 flying ace, which was born from the genius pen of Charles Schultz, by featuring his leather cap, goggles, and scarf. Snoopy is the longest running character in the history of the parade thanks to the never-ending popularity of the Peanuts franchise.
7. Felix the Cat
Felix the Cat makes this list for a couple of reasons. First off, he’s an innovator. Yep, ol’ Felix was the first balloon to ever be featured in Macys’ Thanksgiving Day Parade. Hell, he wasn’t even filled with helium at the time; instead, he was just puffed full of hot air. Granted, he was also an eighth of a current balloon’s size; but we’ll chalk that up to the learning curve. The second reason Felix makes the list is all thanks to that trippy animated film from 1988. Its animation was terrific, but the entire thing was just odd and has now garnered a solid cult-status. Felix has also managed to pop up on every form of merchandise under the sun and we’re sure he has his very own devote group of Felix-collecting geeks.
6. Super Grover
It’s a giant balloon shaped like Sesame Street’s Grover AND he’s dressed in his superhero persona! Really, we think that oughta be enough of an explanation right there. The fact that he beat out hundreds of other characters from the show is really astounding. We always liked Grover, mostly because his fur usually looked matted and dirty. We like our Muppets filthy; especially when they’re explaining the concept of distance to us. Near and far Grover, near and far…
5. Pikachu
Pikachu is a testament to the unyielding limits of geek-dom. Stemming from a collectible card game, multiple video games, and a number of hit animated series; Pikachu earned a balloon the old fashioned way. By making tons and tons o’ cash! This electrified rodent has proven a longevity that no one predicted. Well, no one except all those kids hoarding the Pokémon cards like they were building their own little private game reserves! Pikachu makes this list and easily plants his furry-yellow ass right in the middle spot. You just gotta face facts; there will never be a Magic: the Gathering balloon, so be happy with what you’ve got.
4. Underdog
Few characters are as equally known for their parade balloon as they are the original reason they received one in the first place. However, Underdog has managed that feat better than anyone else. A while back, the balloon itself was even featured in a Coca-Cola commercial, duking it out with other balloons over the sweet, sweet, sugary goodness of the soda. Underdog’s animated shorts were never exactly cutting edge in the animation department, but the lovable character they created is undeniable, and this balloon proves it.
3. Bart Simpson
There was a time during the early 90's when Macys could have just made the entire parade about The Simpsons and the masses would have swooned with untold euphoria. Nowadays, the animated series is known less for its edginess and more for being the longest running TV series in prime-time history. We personally dig this balloon of “El Barto” for a couple of reasons. First off, he’s riding his skateboard. It’s like he’s floating in one never-ending ollie! Second, it’s Bart f’n Simpson! What’s not to love about Matt Groening’s hell-raising creation; especially one that’s 50 feet high?! You just know that if he was to magically come to life, his first order of business would be to burn all the spectators with a magnifying glass! Think about THAT when you’re watching the parade this year…
2. Superman
Making his first appearance in the parade back in 1939, Superman proves just how popular superheroes have been since their birth on the comic page. He has actually scored 3 different balloons over the course of the parade’s existence, with the last one topping out as the largest balloon to ever be featured. Supes is as American as apple pie, or Thanksgiving for that matter, and his inclusion in the parade is a no-brainer. He’s always in those great flying poses and it would have been a cryin’ shame to let them go waste. We figure that in 1939 it was simply easier to make a balloon that stands stoically like in the above photo.
Superman, much like DC Comics is in the number two spot; falling behind the last MARVELous balloon on our list…
1. Spider-Man
C’mon! Like there was ever any doubt to who the #1 spot was going to! Spider-Man is the embodiment of the modern superhero. Not only that, but there is no other masked do-gooder more synonymous with New York City. That says a lot, considering it seems that about 90% of the Marvel Universe characters are based there. The balloon has Spidey posed in his familiar wall-crawling stance, and finally gives poor Peter Parker a little respect. This is THE balloon that pops into the heads of most of our ilk, simply because it has always been wonderful to see the characters we love make their way off of the inked page and into our reality; even if they end up being gigantic bags of gas.
Well folks, that’s all there is. What’s that? This list wasn’t all that inspiring or exciting?! Well, no kidding! You gotta see these things in action to truly appreciate them! Be sure to tune into this year’s edition of the Macys’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, on November 25th, in order to see for yourselves, and bear witness to the brand-new balloons of beloved geek-y characters from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Kung-Fu Panda, and more!
*Spider-Man & Popeye photos: www.nydailynews.com