Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Balloon Inflation Ceremony 11/26/25: There’s something about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that brings out the kid in everyone, including the most hardened cynic. Whether you were press(as I was), a Macy’s staffer/parade volunteer or an onlooker, you were excited to see some of your favorite characters. Many of us were happily taking selfies or having someone else take photos with the balloons. But perhaps more important is a very palpable and earnest desire to put smiles on kids’ faces.
Sure, it’s a highlight of my year. But there’s something both wholesome and wondrous when you see some kid who’s really excited to see Spider-Man or Bluey or whatever their favorite character is. Speaking of adorable: The boy who lives on West 77th, who got out on his fire escape dressed as Spider-Man. The man who worked for the parade, who excitedly facetimed his young daughter to show her the Shrek balloon he worked on. The young cop who excitedly walked around taking pictures to show his family . . .
Let’s try to bring children everywhere that same simple sense of joy.
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