Macy’s offers starring role in Thanksgiving Parade
Design a Balloon Contest launched
US department store Macy’s is offering US kids the chance to play a part in its annual Thanksgiving Parade through New York, one of the best known retailer-led celebrations in the world.
The first-ever Macy’s Design A Balloon contest has put the call out for 5 – 12 year olds with a creative flair to draw the balloon of their dreams. From a sketch, the winning balloon design will be transformed, by the wizardry of Macy’s Parade Studio that makes the balloons and floats for the Parade, into a helium-filled, high-flying Parade balloon.
This original balloon will join the all-star cast of 14 giant helium balloons, 30 novelty balloons and 20 floats for Macy’s annual 2.5 mile trek down the streets of New York City.
Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, said: “Kids’ eyes always light up when they see their favorite balloons fly by during the Parade. Now, we’re giving those same kids
the opportunity to actually design a balloon for the 2004 Parade. And, one lucky kid will get a chance to live the fantasy, and come to New York on Thanksgiving morning to see his or her balloon flying high in the Macy’s Parade… it doesn’t get much better than that.”
[img r]macysparade1.jpg[/img]The winner will get to bring his/her family to New York City to spend Thanksgiving weekend in the Big Apple and see their balloon fly in the parade, with travel and hotel accommodations thrown in courtesy of Delta Airlines and Affinia Hotels.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade attracts sees 3m spectators line the streets of New York City each year, as well as more than 60m TV viewers. For 77 years, the parade has marked the official start of the holiday season in New York.
