The Force is with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2021. After being truncated for television only last year due to the pandemic, the 95th annual parade will march down the streets of New York on November 25, with a new addition: A Funko Pop!-inspired balloon featuring Grogu (known more familiarly as Baby Yoda), from the Star Wars series The Mandalorian.
“The giant balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade have always reflected the very best of pop culture and there is no better example of that than Grogu, who has become an instant global sensation,” said Will Coss, executive producer, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Funko and Lucasfilm on this Funko Pop! version of the beloved character that is sure to delight legions of Star Wars galaxy fans.”
The Grogu-inspired balloon will measure 41 feet high, 29 feet long and 37 feet wide joining a line-up filled with Macy’s traditional mix of giant character helium balloons, fantastic floats, marching bands, performance groups, celebrities, clowns and Santa Claus.
The parade will return to its traditional format, kicking off at 9:00 a.m., with public viewing locations managed by the City of New York in accordance with current CDC guidelines, as well as local and state government protocols.
This year’s procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:
- All volunteer participants and staff will be vaccinated. Vaccine verification will be conducted at all back of house entry points. A few exceptions to this procedure may be made at the sole discretion of Macy’s and its medical consultant based on select extenuating circumstances. For those rare instances, Macy’s medical consultant will administer COVID-19 testing and clear the individual for Parade participation.
- All participants and staff regardless of vaccination status will wear face coverings and additional protective equipment, as warranted by their role. As appropriate, exceptions may include singers, dancers and musicians performing down the route or for the national broadcast.
- Macy’s will implement a reduction in the overall number of participants of between 10% to 20% (approximately 800 to 1,600 participants).
- Social distancing practices will be in place at all interior/exterior Parade operations including costuming areas, seating and participant check-in.
The return of Macy’s Balloon Inflation event is currently under consideration. More information will be announced in November.
