Thanksgiving brings tradition to mind. Families often have traditions with roots running generations in the past. Similar recipes are passed down to children who are desperate for a hint of Grandma’s pecan pie. Holidays, as a whole, tend to bring traditions to mind because they help make the day special. And one of the most participated-in traditions on Thanksgiving is to gather around to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Most families will tell you there’s a certain consensus for their TV time the morning of Turkey day. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade averaged a 12.8 household rating according to Nielsen Media Research’s ratings – an increase in rating as well as the number of people tuning in this year! All in all, this is to say the 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade had an increase of viewers in an age where people are turning away from traditional TV.
The ratings this year proved people will tune-in to this time-honored tradition, again and again, to see fan-favorite balloons and watch this year’s parade route. What’s interesting is that in the history of the parade, it’s only snowed on the day-of in New York City once in 1989.
Although snow was called for this year on Thanksgiving, the Parade was spared snowy precipitation during the very chilly event. In 2004, it’s almost like the Heat Miser joined the parade bystanders, bringing warmer temperatures with him. That year it was 58 degrees in New York City on Thanksgiving morning!
The history of the parade is colorful and rich with American cultural symbols. It’s fascinating to see that the first female parade balloon was introduced in 1929, even though the balloons had only recently surpassed live animals as the main attraction in the parade.
Take a tour of the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade by reading the full report here.