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http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-parade1122,0,6051202.story?coll=ny-nynews-headlines
A 'Classic' Parade Lineup
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Photos
Mr. Monopoly
Video
New Floats, Balloons On Parade
Nov 19, 2002 (RealVideo)
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By Vera Haller
Newsday.com
November 22, 2002
As Robin Hall, director of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, sees it, this year's event is a classic, from first-ever balloons such as Mr. Monopoly and Charlie Brown to a new float inspired by the hilarious chocolate factory scene from "I Love Lucy."
Hall said organizers pulled together a cast of new characters that he hopes will have real staying power and that will return to the parade route during many years to come.
Mr. Monopoly, Hall said, was a good example of what he called the parade's "classic" new lineup. Easily recognizable to children, the character is sophisticated enough to appeal to adults, too, he said.
Charlie Brown, which will replace Snoopy in the parade this year, and Mr. Monopoly are among four new balloons appearing on Thursday out of a total of 14 balloons. Also new are Kermit the Frog and Little Bill.
On the float front, Hershey's sponsors a new float that was based on the "I Love Lucy" episode when Lucy and Ethel take jobs at a chocolate factory and fall hopelessly behind in their assembly line work.
During the parade, children will work the float's conveyer belt, loading and unloading giant Hershey's kisses, Jolly Ranchers and other types of candy.
"It's an amazing and completely dynamic float," Hall said.
Another new float this year is Angelina the Ballerina, featuring a 16-foot-tall mouse in a tutu and performances by children dancers from the City Ballet's Nutcracker production.
Other new floats include: one honoring the 100th anniversary of the Teddy bear; a Barney's Playtime in the Park float; and LEGO's "Carousel of Imagination."
Hall, speaking at Macy's parade studio in Hoboken, N.J. about a week before the parade, said that one of the biggest challenges is getting the floats through the Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan.
He said all the floats are designed so they fold into smaller boxes that can be transported on trucks.
"It's one of the most magical things that happens in the city," Hall said, when the floats are unfolded and assembled on Central Park West near the American Museum of Natural History as dawn breaks on Thanksgiving Day.
The parade begins at the museum at 9 a.m. and continues to Columbus Circle and down Broadway to Herald Square, where it ends in front of Macy's flagship store.
A platform in Herald Square will serve as a stage for such performers as Ashanti, the Baha Men and Josh Groban.
Actors and dancers from the Broadway shows "The Producers," "Hairspray," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and "Oklahoma" also are slated to perform.
As it does every year, the parade ends with the appearance of Santa Claus.
Copyright © 2002, Newsday, Inc.
A 'Classic' Parade Lineup
Email this story
Printer friendly format
Photos
Mr. Monopoly
Video
New Floats, Balloons On Parade
Nov 19, 2002 (RealVideo)
Top Stories
Snow Doesn't Hamper Holiday Travel
Rape Cases Reported On the Rise
Jails Chief to Quit
Budget Process, On Paper
Klein Urges Risk-Taking, Incentives for Success
By Vera Haller
Newsday.com
November 22, 2002
As Robin Hall, director of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, sees it, this year's event is a classic, from first-ever balloons such as Mr. Monopoly and Charlie Brown to a new float inspired by the hilarious chocolate factory scene from "I Love Lucy."
Hall said organizers pulled together a cast of new characters that he hopes will have real staying power and that will return to the parade route during many years to come.
Mr. Monopoly, Hall said, was a good example of what he called the parade's "classic" new lineup. Easily recognizable to children, the character is sophisticated enough to appeal to adults, too, he said.
Charlie Brown, which will replace Snoopy in the parade this year, and Mr. Monopoly are among four new balloons appearing on Thursday out of a total of 14 balloons. Also new are Kermit the Frog and Little Bill.
On the float front, Hershey's sponsors a new float that was based on the "I Love Lucy" episode when Lucy and Ethel take jobs at a chocolate factory and fall hopelessly behind in their assembly line work.
During the parade, children will work the float's conveyer belt, loading and unloading giant Hershey's kisses, Jolly Ranchers and other types of candy.
"It's an amazing and completely dynamic float," Hall said.
Another new float this year is Angelina the Ballerina, featuring a 16-foot-tall mouse in a tutu and performances by children dancers from the City Ballet's Nutcracker production.
Other new floats include: one honoring the 100th anniversary of the Teddy bear; a Barney's Playtime in the Park float; and LEGO's "Carousel of Imagination."
Hall, speaking at Macy's parade studio in Hoboken, N.J. about a week before the parade, said that one of the biggest challenges is getting the floats through the Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan.
He said all the floats are designed so they fold into smaller boxes that can be transported on trucks.
"It's one of the most magical things that happens in the city," Hall said, when the floats are unfolded and assembled on Central Park West near the American Museum of Natural History as dawn breaks on Thanksgiving Day.
The parade begins at the museum at 9 a.m. and continues to Columbus Circle and down Broadway to Herald Square, where it ends in front of Macy's flagship store.
A platform in Herald Square will serve as a stage for such performers as Ashanti, the Baha Men and Josh Groban.
Actors and dancers from the Broadway shows "The Producers," "Hairspray," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and "Oklahoma" also are slated to perform.
As it does every year, the parade ends with the appearance of Santa Claus.
Copyright © 2002, Newsday, Inc.
