Has Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade gone downhill?

[DodgerGirl]

Every Thanksgiving it has always been a tradition to watch Macy's Thanksgiving Day each year and when I have seen it I think the parade has changed it's image and has gone downhill? Is it because Macy's has updated the parade for a new generation or do they try something appealing? Because every time I have seen it the parade is not worthy of watching anymore. Take for instance I have never figured out what's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's big obsession with Broadway musicals and plays? Because why they have the preshow devoted to Broadway musicals and plays is beyond me and they should have a limit of three Broadway musicals throughout each parade and the parade should have a better preshow about Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's history and other stuff. Another thing I noticed about the parade is whenever they talk about certain balloons they show the balloon give commentary then go to a commercial break and it has surprised me that they have started to do this on the parade now. And when I have watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade I never have figured out when they announce that Santa Claus is arriving in Herald Square they make a big deal by annoying you with commentary about Santa Claus with sayings like "Santa will arrive soon and "Don't miss the big moment at the finale" and when Santa Claus finally arrives at the end of the parade all Santa Claus does is wave his arms and jumps up and down like he's being chosen to play The Price Is Right and is completely silent and they should make Santa Claus say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. I think Macy's needs to retire the Santa Claus arrival and replace it with The Rockettes doing a holiday show and that would improve the parade a lot better. I think ever since Robin Hall retired and Jean McFaddin passed away I think that was the beginning of the new image of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

 

[KayMichigan]

The Broadway shows are to give the people in the stands something to watch while they're waiting for the parade to get to the front of the store. It starts several blocks away. Plus it's in New York and they're promoting a crucial part of tourism.

They have the Rockettes at the start of the show, again because nothing else is happening in the area yet. They aren't going to retire Santa Claus, that's been part of the parade since its beginning.

And remember it's the MACY'S parade. It's basically a big promotion for the department store. Santa's always going to be a part of it.

If you don't enjoy it, don't watch it.

 

[RedAngie]

I enjoy the Broadway show appetizers. At least 6 or 7 times over the decades I attended a show because of the Thanksgiving parade previews.

But I was never fond of Macy’s Santa.

And I don’t like how the parent company rebranded many iconic local department store chains as Macy’s. Marshall Field, Strawbridge & Clothier, Bamberger’s, et. al.

 

[Meglen]

Is Macy's still a store? All the ones around us closed. I don't think the parade will go away.. but maybe it's sponsor.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I LOVE the 1st hour of the parade with the Broadway musical skits...and we watch the whole parade on Thanksgiving. The only thing I ignore are the celebrity crowd interviews where they hype their shows...when those come on, I hit the kitchen to prep or check on something for our dinner...

I also LOVE Santa's arrival - that's my fam's personal cue that now we can start to celebrate Christmas things.

Different folks, different strokes.

 

[Marrila]

Is Macy's still a store? All the ones around us closed. I don't think the parade will go away.. but maybe it's sponsor.

It's still a store. They have nice online shopping as well. They closed some unprofitable locations.
I liked the old parade better. Now it's like one very long Broadway commercial. A few acts would be fine, but they have tipped too far in that direction.

 

[mjkacmom]

Is Macy's still a store? All the ones around us closed. I don't think the parade will go away.. but maybe it's sponsor.

I just checked, there are 17 within 20 miles from here.

 

[_19disnA]

It's a once a year parade, I guess I have never studied it that closely from year to year to notice any big difference. Macy's is the sponsor so typically I expect to see their ads. Since it takes place in New York City doesn't surprise me they include the Rockettes and some Broadway acts along with the usual marching bands, floats and balloons. If you don't enjoy what they show maybe change the channel and watch something else.

 

[soccerdad72]

It's fine - it's background noise for us while we're prepping Thanksgiving dinner that morning. I don't really sit and watch any portion of it for more than a minute or two, generally.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I enjoy it but record it to skip parts that are not interesting to me like the random performers I don't know. Love the Broadway scenes and the floats! And, of course, SANTA.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I never watch it. Sometimes it's on in the background when MIL is here. I don't really care for parades in general.

 

[Alicefan]

I love the Broadway parts. It makes me want to see some of the shows. The only thing I've noticed is that I've never heard of 99% of the "stars" that are in it these days. It's weird because I still watch TV and listen to music just as I always did, but I notice now that when I pick up a people magazine or watch the parade, I have no idea who any of these "famous people" are??? I'll never buy into these Youtubers and TikTok people as celebrities. IMO those are just the chumps next door and every single talent-free soul on the planet seems to be on there trying to get famous.

 

[Skippy918]

There’s way to many commercials and talking and not enough parade.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I’m a New Yorker and the parade for us is a family tradition. We always watch and have seen it in person several times. It is intended to be marketing for NYC tourism and Broadway. (Majority of the crowd on the street doesn’t see the Broadway and Rockettes performances; those are for the TV audience.) The floats, characters, balloons, and Santa of course, are mostly aimed at children.

Macy’s is definitely still a store. Every major mall around here has one. The flagship Herald Square store is an icon for over 160 years, and I can’t imagine it closing. Macy’s also produces the huge NYC 4th of July fireworks show.

 

[design_mom]

When I was a kid I used to LOVE the parade. Now it's just kind of "meh" but I'm not sure if the parade has changed or it's just me. (The musical guests aren't people I listen to anymore, etc.) But I remember being amazed by the big balloons and Santa's arrival when I was little.

And I don’t like how the parent company rebranded many iconic local department store chains as Macy’s. Marshall Field, Strawbridge & Clothier, Bamberger’s, et. al.

One of our local malls had TWO Macys in it for a long time. It originally opened with two other (regional) department stores (Lazarus and Marshall Fields). Over time, Lazarus was purchased/rebranded as Macy's. Not too long afterward, Marshall Fields was also purchased/rebranded as Macy's. There were two Macy's locations in the same mall (one at each end) for over 10 years, before they finally closed one of them.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We record it and start watching it an hour after it aired, and fast forward past the broadway parts. For us the Christmas season formally starts when Santa arrives. It’s a family tradition to eat cinnamon buns and watch the parade. Have never missed a single macys parade in my entire life.

 

[Buzz Rules]

My family has watched it since the beginning. I love at the end of the ad, it includes the Hudson Valley.

 

[lanejudy]

There are usually 2 live broadcasts. I think NBC as the official broadcaster has their booth across from Macy's and does focus on the performances in front. (BTW...many many parades have a reviewing stand where various groups perform besides just marching/walking the parade route.) CBS also has live coverage and I've found they focus more along the parade route and floats, balloons, etc. If you don't like the NBC coverage try changing channels.

Also -- some years the balloons will be higher some years quite low. It all depends on the weather (winds actually).

 

[Buzz Rules]

Are there any new floats/balloons that you’re excited to see?

I always think some new ones are weird, including this one:
https://www.foxsports.com/presspass...-debut-in-2022-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/

 

[sam_gordon]

Are there any new floats/balloons that you’re excited to see?

I always think some new ones are weird, including this one:
https://www.foxsports.com/presspass...-debut-in-2022-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/

I wonder if the NBC broadcast will focus ANY time on that one. On one hand, it is promoting the USMNT. On the other hand, it's promoting FOX. On the other hand, the networks have promoted each other when it comes to NFL games.

On the other hand, I'm not surprised you turned a thread about a parade into soccer.