S: Is for Special Events

As the day grows near, kids of all ages can't wait for the magic of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation. On Wednesday afternoon, November 26th, the annual blossoming of the giant helium balloons of the world's most famous Parade begins. Taking place on West 77th and 81st Streets between Columbus and Central Park West, the annual inflation is a rite of passage for many. Ever since 1927, when giant balloons were first introduced into MacyHs Parade, New Yorkers and visitors alike have started their Thanksgiving holiday celebration by gathering to watch the inflation of the giant size character balloons. This year, viewers will be thrilled to see 32 Balloons grow to a size larger-than-life and prepped for their flight down Broadway on Thanksgiving morning. Public viewing hours will be from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM.

At 3:00 PM, spectators will enter the magical behind-the-scenes world of Macy's "Balloon Inflation Station" at the northeast corner of 77th St. and Columbus Avenue and exit at the southeast corner of 81st Street. There will be no other points of entry. Entry to "Balloon Inflation" will close to the public at 10:00 PM. As an added convenience to families visiting the newly inflated balloons, Charmin Ultra® will provide the most fabulous public facilities on the Upper West Side. Located on the southwest corner of 77th Street and Columbus Avenue, these luxurious loos on wheels have all of the comforts of home, including hardwood floors, wallpaper and fully functional sinks.

"Our Balloon Inflation is for many people almost as exciting as the Parade itself. Inflation grows each year with more Parade lovers coming out Thanksgiving eve to experience it. This has become in many ways an annual tradition and event onto itself," says Robin Hall, Executive Producer/Director of the 77th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Preparations for Balloon Inflation begin early on Thanksgiving eve. Macy's Parade Balloonatics gear up for the next 36 hours prepping these giants for their flight down Broadway. The large Balloon line-up - 15 giant character Balloons and 11 novelty Balloons occupy two full city blocks to accommodate their expansive inflated dimensions. By mid-morning on November 26h, the Balloons arrive in their crates from the Parade Studio and enormous canvas drop cloths are laid out to cover all of 77th and 81st Streets, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, encompassing the American Museum of Natural History.

The magic begins as the Balloons are carefully unrolled onto the ground cloths, then tethered with nets and anchored with sandbags placed at five-foot intervals. These retaining nets are critical to this operation as they prevent the Balloons from flying away as they're being inflated or drifting off during slumber until Parade morning. Macy's technicians and crews fill the giant Balloons with helium (from four industrial tank trailers supplying almost a quarter million cubic feet), which are pumped into the separate compartments of each Balloon. Spectators are awed as they see right before their eyes a massive balloon with an undistinguishable shape become Parade favorites.

At 10:00 PM, the crowds disperse from the inflation site and last minute adjustments are made before the crew retires for the night. At 6:00 AM the next morning. Macy's Balloonatics top off each Balloon with a final blast of helium to ensure a successful flight down the line of march. Finally, the Balloons take to the sky around the corner of Central Park West and 77th & 81st Streets and prepare to march into history and the hearts of children of all ages who eagerly await that magical moment when we say, "Let's Have A Parade!"

These are blown up F.A.C.T.S