10 Forgotten Thanksgiving Day Parade Floats From the Past

This article explores 10 memorable but now forgotten floats that once delighted crowds at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Each float reflected its era through design, humor, and popular imagination. By revisiting them, readers rediscovered how the parade continually evolved while shaping holiday nostalgia.

1. 1. The Pinocchio Balloon Float (1937)

The Pinocchio balloon float appeared in the parade just before the Disney movie came out. It featured a long wooden nose that wobbled as it moved down the street. People loved its playful design, but it later disappeared as newer characters took the spotlight.

2. 2. The Sea Serpent Float (1935)

The Sea Serpent float stretched across several blocks and created a wave effect as it moved. It thrilled crowds because it slithered around like a giant creature from a storybook. It vanished from later parades when organizers favored more recognizable characters.

3. 3. The Uncle Sam Ship Float (1920s)

The Uncle Sam Ship float sailed through the streets on hidden wheels and displayed patriotic decorations. It celebrated American pride during the early years of the parade. It faded from use after the parade began to focus more on pop culture themes.

4. 4. The Eddie Cantor Balloon Float (1934)

The Eddie Cantor balloon float honored the popular entertainer of the era. It showed his trademark wide eyes and smile floating high above the crowds. It stopped appearing after public taste shifted away from celebrity likeness balloons.

5. 5. The Happy Hippo Float (1950s)

The Happy Hippo float showed a giant grinning hippo that bobbed its head as it traveled along the route. Children loved its cheerful expression and playful movements. It soon retired as the parade started to introduce more television-based characters.

6. 6. The Tin Man Float (1939)

The Tin Man float debuted the same year the film “The Wizard of Oz” premiered. It showcased a shiny metallic surface that glimmered against the city skyline. It eventually left the parade lineup when organizers updated the roster of popular figures.

7. 7. The Miss Muffet Spider Balloon Float (1940s)

The Miss Muffet Spider float paired with a large Little Miss Muffet figure and created a whimsical nursery rhyme scene. The spider hovered above the crowd on bouncing wires that made it look alive. It was later retired when nursery rhyme themed floats fell out of fashion.

8. 8. The Space Man Balloon Float (1952)

The Space Man balloon float appeared during America’s growing fascination with space exploration. It featured a round helmet, a silver suit, and oversized moon boots that delighted spectators. It eventually disappeared as later parades focused on real astronauts and branded characters.

9. 9. The Fireman Balloon Float (1948)

The Fireman balloon float honored real heroes and displayed a bright red uniform with a shining helmet. Its oversized hose dangled above the crowd as if spraying imaginary water. It was eventually replaced when the parade leaned toward more commercial floats.

10. 10. The Turkey Train Float (1920s)

The Turkey Train float combined a locomotive and a giant turkey for a playful holiday-themed spectacle. It chugged along with steam effects that excited onlookers. It faded from the parade as designs shifted toward sleeker, more modern concepts.

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