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Check out vintage photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

That giant Snoopy float has been rolling down Fifth Avenue in front of thousands of people for a long, long time.

Written by Jillian Anthony
Contributor: Rossilynne Skena Culgan
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The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is up, the weather is cooling down and it’s almost time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! The tradition that began in 1924 is one of the best fall events in NYC, and we’re already looking forward to it. For now, look back on decades of photos of the creatures and characters that once took flight on the city streets on Thanksgiving in NYC.

RECOMMENDED: The guide to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Miss Muffett float, 1924

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Balloonatics Float, 1926
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Happy Dragon, 1927

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Dachshund, 1929
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Photographs: Courtesy Macy's

Left: Eddie Cantor, 1934

Right: Mickey Mouse, 1934

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Santa balloon, 1940
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Happy Hippo, 1940s

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Uncle Sam, 1940s
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Tin Man float, 1940s

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Pilgrim balloon, 1946
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Photographs: Courtesy Macy's
Left: Macy’s Elf balloon, 1947; Right: Harold the Fireman, 1948

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Harold the Baseball Player, 1949
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Bullwinkle, 1961

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Peanuts float, 1960s
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Donald Duck, 1962

Photographs: Courtesy Macy's
Left: Underdog, 1965; Right: Superman, 1966
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Flying Ace Snoopy, 1968

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Tom Turkey float, 1970s
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Sesame Street float, 1978

Photographs: Courtesy Macy's
Left: Kermit the Frog, 1977; Right: Woody Woodpecker, 1982
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Photographs: Courtesy Macy's
Left: Raggedy Ann, 1984; Right: Betty Boop, 1985

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Pink Panther, 1988
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Photographs: Courtesy Macy's
Left: Clifford, 1990; Right: Spiderman, 1991

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Charlie Brown, 2002
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Photographs: Courtesy Macy's
Left: Bandleader Mickey Mouse, 2000; Right: Big Bird, 2001

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Kermit the Frog, 2002
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Strike Up the Band Barney, 2003

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Barney’s Playtime in the Park, 2002
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Lego float, 2002

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Humpty Dumpty by Tom Otterness, 2005
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Soaring Spirit Canoe, 2000s

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Barbie: The Prince & the Pauper float, 2004
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Rabbit by Jeff Koons, 2007

Photographs: Courtesy Macy's
Left: Figure with Heart by Keith Haring, 2008; Right: Kaikai and Kiki by Takashi Murakami, 2010
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Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Tim Burton’s B., 2011

Photograph: Courtesy Macy's
Companion by KAWS, 2012
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