As we get ready to celebrate 87 years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, let’s take a moment to reflect on its creepiest characters.
While more than 3.5 million people in New York and 50 million people at home will tune in on Thursday morning to see this year’s giant balloons, earlier parades had humbler beginnings. Called “The Christmas Parade,” the Thanksgiving event was organized and performed by only Macy’s employees.
The first balloon, an inflated Felix the Cat, was introduced into the parade in 1927. After that, balloons became a yearly tradition. At the end of each parade the giant helium-filled characters were released into the air to float over New York for roughly a week and a $100 prize was given to whoever retrieved a deflated balloon.
According to digital magazine The Wire, another forgotten fact from the parade is that the balloons used to be extremely creepy.
“The creepiness appears to have peaked in the mid-1930s, about a decade after the parade first began,” read the magazine.
Here is only a small selection of photos of creepy, floating characters. To see more, make sure to scroll through the New York Public Library’s full collection.
1Lip-Smackin’ Felix
Macys
Introduced to the parade in 1927, Felix the Cat was a trendsetter. He was also either very thirsty or very excited. His smile features a dangling tongue that raises Felix’s creepy factor a few bars.
2Way Too Happy Cat
AP
This cat from 1931 rivals the creepy clowns dragging it. To be honest, we don’t know which freaks us out more.
3Dying Alligator
New York Public Library
The folks at The Wire deduced that this was the alligator from the 1932 parade. What they did not deduce was the murder weapon clearly protruding from the alligator’s head. Rest in peace little guy.
4Old Worried Pig
New York Public Library
This spotted pig from 1932 must have a lot on his mind. His brow is way too furrowed for a normal, happy pig. Maybe he knows that a menu of Christmas ham is just around the corner.
5Disembodied Head and Terrified Woman
AP
This scene from 1930 pretty much sums up all that is creepy about the Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you’ll notice, this image features a series of wide-eyed, disembodied heads floating along behind a woman who appears to be running for her life.
6Angry Captain Nemo
AP
What’s a parade without an oversized, disheveled Captain Nemo? Well, he was there in 1929 -- sans submarine, unfortunately.
7Drunk Butler
AP
This balloon from 1933, is of a butler. He may have had a few too many during his pre-gaming session.
8Overexcited Dachshund
New York Public Library
This pup from 1932 is waaaay too happy about being a part of the parade. Easy, buddy, easy.
9Hungover Superman
AP
Ever wanted to know what Superman would look like if he had too much to drink one night and then, in the morning, was inflated to the size of a four-story building? Neither did we. Of all the things to say about this image, we’ll just direct the reader to Superman’s pointy nipples. That should do the trick.
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