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If Bad Weather Continues Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Faces Drastic Step It’s Only Had to Do One Time Ever, 42 Years Ago

Nov 27, 2013  •  Post A Comment

The weather is such in New York CIty that Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade may have to do something it’s only had to do once in its history, reports USA Today.

On Thanksgiving day in 1971, for the first time ever, the Macy’s parade had to ground its balloons, according to the paper. This is the 87th year of the parade.

The article says, "Travelers flying home for Thanksgiving aren’t the only ones who could potentially be grounded due to messy East Coast weather — Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants and Toothless the dragon may have to stay out of the air as well.

"Those Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons — and 13 other giant balloons — won’t take off Thursday morning if sustained winds exceed 23 mph and gusts exceed 34 mph."

The article adds, "Weather has caused parade organizers — and watchers — troubles in the past. In 1997, winds drove a Cat in the Hat balloon into a metal pole. The ensuing damage left a woman in a coma for almost a month before she recovered. In 2005, an M&M balloon knocked over a streetlight that injured two sisters."

The story also notes, "In addition to the possible weather issues for tomorrow, controversy is swirling around two floats.

"Animal rights activists are upset that a SeaWorld float, which features two 27-foot orcas, is joining the parade. They claim SeaWorld doesn’t treat its whales well.

"SeaWorld says the accusations have ‘absolutely no basis’ and that ‘the men and women who care for these animals at SeaWorld are dedicated in every respect to their health and well-being.’

"And ranchers were rankled that singer Joan Jett was slated to perform on the South Dakota tourism float, saying the vegetarian and animal-rights activist wasn’t a good representative for their beef-producing state. She will still be in the parade, just not on that float. Macy’s said the parade does not engage in social commentary or political debate."

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