Larger-than-life balloons and floats are an undeniable symbol of the Thanksgiving holiday. Gargantuan cartoon and classic fairy tale characters float through the cavernous Manhattan streets annually in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to the cheers of thousands.
While the parade is a staple of Thanksgiving mornings, unbeknownst to most here in Hoboken is that since 1969, an unpretentious Willow Avenue warehouse has harbored the creation of so many of the memorable airborne sculptures.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the parade, Macy’s and the Hoboken Historical Museum present "Macy’s Parade Studio, Hoboken, New Jersey," an exhibit celebrating the history of the parade studio in Hoboken.
The exhibit opens Wednesday Nov. 15 with a special members-only preview from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The museum will feature artifacts from the studio’s archives and include photographs, text, and balloon and float models detailing the rich history of its work in Hoboken. It will also focus on the art of creating the magic of the parade, including seminars with Manfred Bass, the former director of the studio.
"The Hoboken Historical Museum is pleased to present an exhibit that celebrates the history of the parade’s studio in our city," said Robert Foster, the director of the museum, last week. "This exhibit aims to show our visitors not only the work the studio does throughout the year, but also the artistry involved in these hometown creations."
The parade studio moved here 33 years ago into the old Tootsie Roll factory near 15th Street. It is responsible for the design and maintenance of the parade’s balloons and floats. The studio is also responsible for coordinating Macy’s annual events such as the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks and Macy’s Flower Show.
"We are extremely proud of the work and the innovations that the Macy’s Parade Studio has achieved throughout the years," said Robin Hall, the director and producer of the parade. "The work they have done has been integral in making the parade ‘America’s parade’. We are extremely proud of our involvement in the Hoboken community and look forward to many more productive years."
This is the Platinum 75th year anniversary of the parade and it will be held Nov. 22 at 9 a.m., starting from 77th Street and Central Park West and winding to Herald Square and Macy’s Department Store.
This year’s event features 15 huge inflatable balloons, 28 floats, five toy floats, 21 groups of clowns, nine clown cars, 14 dance and music groups, 12 marching bands, four Broadway shows represented and the Radio City Rockettes.
"For 75 years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has brought the country together. It has served as the opening act for this all-important American holiday for millions of families and has been a constant through good times and bad, enduring both times of war and peace," said Hall.
The exhibit opens to the public on Thursday, Nov.15, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St., and runs through Feb. 25. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The suggested admission is $2 for adults, and there is no charge for children.
For more information, call 656-2240 or visit the museum’s website at www.hobokenmuseum.org.