Who lives in a pineapple under the sea, except when he’s floating in the sky high above New York City?

That’d be this 44-feet-tall, 41-feet-long, 34-feet-wide SpongeBob SquarePants balloon, which will make its debut at the 87th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 28. Nine years after SpongeBob first appeared at the parade, the flying sea-dweller will enjoy a new holiday-themed look — though his fundamental SpongeBob-iness remains intact.

“It’s not very often that the term ‘square and ‘balloon’ are used together, but for nearly a decade the SpongeBob SquarePants balloon has been one of the many highlights of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Amy Kule, Executive Producer of the yearly special, in a statement. “With his animated persona and super-sized Santa hat, this second iteration of this irascible character will float down the Parade route to the continued delight of the millions of fans lining the streets of New York and the many millions more watching on television across the country. This Thanksgiving, SpongeBob once again takes his rightful position squarely in the sky.”

In 2004, the first-ever SpongeBob SquarePants Balloon made its inaugural appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to the delight of kids and adults alike. Based on the most-watched animated kids' show on TV, this year's newest SpongeBob balloon will stand at 44-feet tall, 41-feet long and 34-feet wide as it struts down New York's most famous parade route.

Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged as a pop culture phenomenon.  The series has been the most-watched animated program with kids 2-11 for more than 12 consecutive years, and over the past several years, it has averaged more than 100,000,000 total viewers every quarter across all Nickelodeon networks.  As the most widely distributed property in Viacom history, SpongeBob is seen in over 170 countries and translated in more than 35 languages. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

Source: Nickelodeon

The Cherokee National Youth Choir will perform Nov. 28 in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The Cherokee National Youth Choir will sing its way through one of the most popular parades of all time next month.

The 27-member, Tahlequah, Okla.-based choir will perform in the 87th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28 in New York City. The upcoming performance will take place on a float in the parade and marks the choir’s second appearance in the televised parade, said Mary Kay Henderson, director for the choir.

“To be asked to be on a float and be a featured artist for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a huge thing for the Cherokee National Youth Choir,” she said. “It’s a great honor for us.”

Featuring children in sixth through 12th grades, the choir will be dressed in its traditional Cherokee clothing for the parade, which will be televised from 8-11 a.m. on the NBC network. The choir will perform one song selection for the TV cameras near the main entrance of the Macy’s store, she said.

“This will be such a learning experience for these students,” Henderson said. “Some of our students have never flown before, so getting on a plane for the first time will be an experience for them. Getting to travel to New York City, really, is a learning experience for all of us.”

Choir members recently held various fundraisers to raise “trip-deposit” money, while the Cherokee Nation “is graciously” underwriting most of the trip’s expenses, she said.

“It’s great that they’ve been asked to be at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade again,” she said of the choir, which appeared in the parade in 2007. “The goal of the choir is to be an ambassador of Cherokee culture and music for this area, and we hope that we are accomplishing that goal.”

When asked what song the choir will perform for the parade’s TV cameras, Henderson laughed.

“Oh, I can’t tell which song we’ll be doing — it’s a secret,” she said. “The parade organizers told us not to disclose that, so people will have fun watching the choir on TV. It’s going to be a great thing.”

Source: swtimes.com, PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEROKEE NATION

Five Warren County students will be among hundreds of jump ropers from across the county in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Some of the Jumpin'Jaguars will have to jump rope while walking for three straight hours during the parade, and as you'd probably expect, it takes plenty practice and conditioning to accomplish such a task!

"We've been jumping down Campbell lane, and we've been running in races," said Jumping Jaguar Rachel Yarano.

"We've been preparing for three months now, and two hours everyday," said Jumping Jaguar Kaelin Odil.

The Jumpin' Jaguars will be jumping rope from 6p.m. to 8p.m. Friday at the Greenwood Mall in front of Macy's. Macy's will be raffling fragrances, and the group will be taking donations to raise funds for their trip to new york for the parade.

Source: wbko.com

MESA, AZ (CBS5) - Faculty and band members of Mesa Mountain View High School received a huge surprise Thursday morning when they found out they were chosen to participate in Macy's 2013 Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Students hugged and cheered at the secretly planned ceremony, reveling in the moment that their school was only 1 of 11 chosen nationwide to display their talents in the highly attended and massively popular holiday television spectacle. The Toro marching band will help kick off the internationally iconic event, that yearly marks the start of the holiday season.

More than 3.5 million spectators are expected to attend with more than 50 million viewers worldwide.

From: kpho.com

Get a preview of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade the day before, with an expedition to see the balloons come to life. A tradition since 1927, the giant balloons—featuring beloved pop culture characters—are slowly inflated in the streets around the American Museum of Natural History, at Columbus Avenue and West 77th Street. Nets and sandbags are used to keep them from escaping during the night.

Balloon Inflation Details: November 27, 2013 from 3pm-10pm. The balloons begin to come to life around 4:30-5pm and the last admission to the balloon inflation area is at 9:15pm.

Here is the details and more information for the Macy's Balloon Inflation Area:

Now available from Macy's is the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Tote Bag.

Description from the site:
It only comes once a year! Bursting with all the familiar sights and official balloons of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, this whimsical 2013 tote bag celebrates a cherished holiday tradition.
- Cotton canvas
- Spot clean only
- Imported
- Dimensions: 16" x 15" x 5.75"
- Shoulder strap with 11" drop

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has included Broadway numbers almost every year since 1980. This year, the casts of “Annie,” “Bring it On,” “Elf,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and “Cinderella” will perform.

In honor of the Thanksgiving must-watch event, we took a look at some of our favorite past parade performances.

“Hair”

After being left out last year, Macy’s Inc. is adding Snoopy back into the mix at its annual Thanksgiving Day parade this November. The lovable beagle will make its 37th appearance in the parade, Macy’s said in a press release this week, adding that Snoopy holds the record for most appearances and most balloon versions at the event. Snoopy first debuted in the parade in 1968 and will take his seventh form this year. The parade attracts about 3.5 million spectators and reaches 50 million TV viewers each year.

“It is part of the DNA of the Macy’s brand, it is one of the reasons that spectators from all over the world know the company,” a spokesman for the retailer said in an e-mail. “The Macy’s Parade also creates a visceral, emotional connection between Macy’s and the public who have gathered for decades with family and friends to enjoy the spectacle.”

The First Flying Ace Snoopy: 1968

Astronaut Snoopy: 1969

Ice Skating Snoopy Solo: 1986

Ice Skating Snoopy Plus Woodstock: 1988

Millennium Snoopy: 1999

New version of Flying Ace Snoopy: 2006

Model of Classic Snoopy and Woodstock on Head: 2013
From: buzzfeed.com

For almost five decades, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has surprised and amazed guests with unique entertainment, thrilling rides, and up-close encounters with amazing sea life. Millions have been inspired through the power of entertainment, to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world. This Thanksgiving the beauty and majesty of the sea will come to life on the streets of New York as SeaWorld’s “A Sea of Surprises” float debuts in the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

“The magicians of Macy’s Parade Studio have outdone themselves yet again with the awe-inspiring and entertaining design of the new SeaWorld float,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “With its diverse and majestic depictions of sea creatures transformed into larger-than-life form, the ‘A Sea of Surprises’ float is sure to inspire millions of children and adults to learn more about, appreciate and enjoy all forms of aquatic life.”

From sea turtles, penguins and angel fish to sharks and breaching whales, amazing sea sculptures abound on the new float. Featuring rolling ocean waves, the gentle movement of swaying kelp and a vibrant school of tropical fish, the scene will take spectators on an extraordinary undersea journey. Taking center stage on the “A Sea of Surprises” float is the iconic Shamu, breaching 27-feet above the millions of Parade spectators lining the streets of Manhattan.

“We are thrilled to debut our SeaWorld ‘A Sea of Surprises’ float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a tribute to SeaWorld’s 50th celebration,” said Jim Atchison, President and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Next year the parks will commemorate this milestone with a year-long celebration at the three SeaWorld parks in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio. We hope this festive float represents the fun, inspiration and surprises that guests will find during a visit to SeaWorld.”

Beginning next March, SeaWorld celebrates its 50th year with a sea of surprises at all three parks that includes new interactive experiences and shows, even more up-close animal encounters throughout the park and the SeaWorld “Surprise Squad” treating guests with prizes and special experiences every day. For more information, visit www.SeaWorld.com/Celebration.

The 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC-TV, on Thursday, Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. – noon, in all time zones.

From: cultureroar.com

Sonic will be taking part in this years Macy’s thanksgiving parade, marking three years in a row where Sonic has been in attendance. This is according to cititour.com, a website to promote events in New York, However, when asked about this on twitter, Sega said that they didn’t have any news regarding Sonic being in this years Macy’s.

From: sonicstadium.org

Lindt has unveiled the design for its Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float. The float will stand three stories above a chocolate shop. It features a giant Lindt Master Chocolatier that has the world dancing on a string as he orchestrates the pouring and casting of Lindt Bear and other chocolate figures for the holidays.

Amy Kule, executive producer of the holiday spectacle, said in a statement, "This November, fans will rejoice as the delectable Lindt float makes its grand debut in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanks to the magicians of Macy's Parade Studio, the Lindt Master Chocolatier is transformed into a giant puppeteer, creating magical chocolate treats for spectators to enjoy this holiday season."

Photo: Lindt & Sprungli
Source: shoppingblog.com

The Summer Set have announced via twitter they will be performing at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

Finn and Jake will be the stars of an Adventure Time balloon at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Their helium-filled adventure will debut on Thursday, November 28th, 2013. Click on the image below to see a closer view of what the balloon will look like:

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradeparade has become somewhat of a staple for families across the country. All of the amazing balloons, floats, and performances bring in millions of viewers each year to celebrate Thanksgiving. There are a lot of interesting facts about the parade:

• Macy’s employees staged the first parade in 1924 – it was so successful that they decided to make it an annual event.

• The first character balloon to make an appearance at the parade was Felix the Cat in 1927.

• In 1934 Macy’s worked with Disney for the first time to create the original Mickey Mouse balloon.

• The only interruption in the parade’s history was from 1942-44. Macy’s gave their parade balloons to the war effort since rubber was so scarce.

• The parade was first televised in New York in 1945.

• There was a helium shortage in 1958 that forced the balloons to be filled with air and hung from cranes instead floating.

• Floats must travel through the Lincoln Tunnel to get to Manhattan for the parade. A float has to fold up to an 8 foot wide and 12 1/2 foot high float in order to get through.

• Nine parade telecasts since 1979 have won an Emmy.

• Santa Claus has ended the parade every year, except in 1933 when he led the parade.

Flashback Friday. Here are some of the great balloon photos from last year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Are you excited for this year's parade?