Archive for November, 2009

Thanksgiving Day Giant Balloons

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

It’s that time of year that many of us look forward to each year. Thanksgiving and the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that starts Thanksgiving Day off with a sky full of giant balloons. Add the bands, floats and crowds and you have a wonderful beginning to a great day.

More than 50 million TV viewers across the world and more than 3 1/2 million spectators who line the streets of New York City are in for another fantastic treat this year. The giant balloons are filled by now and await their handlers for the festive 2 1/2 mile route through the city. Check out the official Macy’s Parade website for up to the minute information.

The weather forecast is for a chance of rain but the wind is forecast to be light so the giant parade balloons hopefully will not have much trouble traversing their route. The giant balloons are very unwieldy and even a little wind makes them nearly unmanageable. The seasoned balloon handlers always have a tough job but add a little wind and the situation gets very tricky.

We’re hoping for clear, dry and calm weather. The temperature should be around 50 degrees at parade time so it should be pleasant if you are planning to brave the City and watch in person.

Best wishes to all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Giant Parade Balloons Route

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

The parade route for the giant balloons in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is bypassing Broadway for the first time in its more than 80-year history.

SFGate.com reports on November 23, 2009 that the new parade route will include five turns and be slightly longer than in previous years. The new route is 2.65 miles long and became necessary because part of the old route was closed to vehicular traffic, making floats off limits now.

The giant balloons in the parade , featuring Buzz Lightyear, Spider-Man and Ronald McDonald measure thirty to over sixty feet tall and wide and are filled with thousands of cubic feet of helium. Each balloon is tethered to and guided by several to scores of human handlers.

Turning the giant balloons around corners is tricky and must be performed slowly to insure no light poles or other obstructions are snagged by the balloon. There are protocols in place in case of high winds which can wreak havoc with the giant balloons. In 1997 a balloon hit a light pole which resulted in a woman spectator being injured and in a coma for over a month before she recovered.

The weather forecast for the parade this year is a 40% chance of rain with some possibility of wind.

Best of luck to the handlers! I’ll be tuned in to watch them handle the parade balloons again this year.

Advertising Balloons and Social Media

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Advertising balloons may be retro but they still drive traffic and sales.

If you want to keep up with the razor edge of Internet Marketing and social media marketing you should subscribe to Dr. Mary Lou Roberts DIY Marketing blog . Always informative with a keen insight on what is happening now. How she keeps up with everything I don’t know but she is very informative with tips how to apply lessons to your company or brand.

Next time you need a little stretching in your Internet Marketing head on over and check it out.

Internet marketing, including social media, works well in conjunction with our giant balloons. Advertising balloons and advertising inflatables bring people in from that final mile or block.

Go Big! Go with Both!

Happy Thanksgiving!


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