The following is an excerpt from Michael Storrings' book, "A Very New York Christmas"...

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was started by employees of R.H. Macy & Company in 1924. Since then, the parade has grown into an annual New York tradition, ushering in the holiday season with the help of dozens of floats and balloons (some as tall as seventy fee), celebrity hosts and performers, marching bands, the mayor, and of course, jolly old St. Nick.

Each Thanksgiving Day Parade ornament is hand blown and hand painted in Poland.