New Giant Character Balloons Include Buzz Lightyear, Horton and Smurf

New Floats Include Bolt, Castle of Dreams, Harajuku Lovers, True Spirit of Thanksgiving, Shine On, The Smurfs, Winter Wonderland, and Woodland Family Gathering

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to continue 'Blue Sky Gallery' series with the debut of 'Figure with Heart' by Keith Haring

NEW YORK, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The start of the holiday season is just around the corner and you better believe that soaring giants and spectacular stages are ready for their big debuts on Thanksgiving Day! The new kids on the block are ready to inspire oohs, ahhs and wows in the official kick-off to the holiday season, the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. On Thursday, November 27th at 9:00 AM the magic takes to the skies and the streets of the Big Apple in America's favorite Parade.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081103/NY43422 )

Turkey Day marks the debut of three new giant character helium balloons, eight new fantastic floats and a new contemporary art balloon. From classic characters to whimsical floating stages, the 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will once again feature a stellar starring cast.

Joining returning favorites, these new stars will delight millions of spectators in their first proud procession down Broadway to Macy's Herald Square.

                                   Soaring Giants

                                   BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
                                    DISNEY•PIXAR

Buzz Lightyear goes to Herald Square and Beyond! The larger-than-life balloon measures 67 feet long, 39 feet wide and 34 feet tall, and replicates the fearless space ranger from his green and purple space boots all the way up to his helmet, which is 17 feet in diameter. In fact, Macy's Parade Studio designers used a special fabric never before used on a Parade balloon to create the clear space helmet.

                                      HORTON
                     TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT 

Making his Broadway debut floating down the Great White Way, Horton will keep his eyes firmly planted on a delicate clover protectively wrapped in his trunk, which is home to the wonderful "Whos of Whoville." Measuring 59.8-feet long, 31.8-feet wide and 43.4-feet tall on his maiden voyage, Horton will be a surefire hit with spectators. With toenails the size of large beach balls, and ears that could cover a large van, Horton is a giant protector of "Whoville" and the people of New York City. On Thanksgiving, Horton will be filled with 14,060 cubic feet of helium.

                                      SMURF

From three apples tall to a smurftastic giant, the new Smurf balloon will put the blue in the sky on Thanksgiving Day. Celebrating The Smurfs 50th Anniversary this year, the loveable Smurf will be waving hello to all his friends as he flies down Manhattan, to the sounds of Happy Smurfday! Measuring 57.6-feet long, 38.7-feet wide and 47-feet tall, the whimsical Smurf is filled with 15,050 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.

                          FIGURE WITH HEART BY KEITH HARING
                                KEITH HARING FOUNDATION

Working in partnership with the Keith Haring Foundation, Macy's Parade Studio reconceived one of Keith Haring's ink on paper drawings, Untitled (Figure with Heart), 1987, as a 48-foot tall helium giant. The balloon is a three-dimensional rendering of Haring's drawing that will appear flat against the backdrop of the sky just as it might have appeared on the subway walls once favored by the artist.

                                  Floating Scenery

                                        BOLT
                            WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

Bolt and his unlikely traveling companions, Mittens the jaded cat and Rhino the tv-obsessed hamster, showcase their cross-country journey from New York to Hollywood aboard the Parade float. Miley Cyrus will be aboard the float performing an original song "I Thought I Lost You."

                                 CASTLE OF DREAMS
                                MY PRINCESS ACADEMY(TM)

The Castle of Dreams float is a sparkling vision of purple and pink featuring more than 230,000 flecks of glitter topped with waving flags, and enchanted pets from the My Princess Academy virtual online world. The four guiding pillars that define true Princesses: intelligence, beauty, confidence, and generosity embellish the float and help encourage little girls to be their best selves. Princess Skylar, founder of My Princess Academy, will welcome little Princesses on board as they ride down Broadway with the Clique Girlz who will perform "Get Up and Go."

                                 HARAJUKU LOVERS
                                      COTY

Neon Lights, over the top signs and Harajuku girls are on full blast on the new Harajuku Lovers float. Inspired by the Harajuku area of downtown Tokyo, the float consists of multi-level, clear, plexi-glass platforms that show the lights of Tokyo to full effect. Featured on board will be balloonhead alter egos of Love, Lil Angel, Music, Baby and G - the Harajuku Girls! Also taking the trip through Manhattan will be the real Love, Angel, Music and Baby who will dance close to their balloon counterparts on Thanksgiving.

                                  SHINE ON
                                 JIMMY DEAN(R)

The bright optimism created each day as the sun rises is the inspiration of the new Shine On float. The colorful float features a giant plate that serves as the centerpiece. Surrounding the float is a giant animated crescent moon that sets just as the brilliant sun rises over the city skyline on the back of the float. Showcasing the continuous night to day cycle, the float's giant plate will rise revealing an evening scene and will descend as the morning arrives. On board for the bright, shining morning will be country superstar Trace Adkins.

                                 THE SMURFS

Leaving Smurf Village for a fun day on Broadway, Papa Smurf and Smurfette will ride along on a smurftastic float following the new Smurf balloon. The float features a replica of one of the Smurfs legendary mushroom shaped homes. Not be left out of the balloon fun, the entire Smurf mushroom house will be an inflatable balloon too!

                          THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING
                               ONEIDA INDIAN NATION

The Oneida Indian Nation's representation of the creation story is told on the majestic True Spirit of Thanksgiving float. The float depicts the tale of Sky Woman who one day came to rest on a Turtle's back, depicted on the float by a giant Turtle symbolizing Mother Earth. A 30-foot tall White Pine Tree symbolizing the Tree of Peace grows from the turtle's back, and climbs skyward, while its great white roots of peace spread in four directions- north, south, east and west. On top of the Great Tree is an eagle that keeps watch over the Nations, symbolizing the constant watch and protection of Peace. Along for the ride will be Iroquois dancers at each root representing all Indian people from across the country.

                                WINTER WONDERLAND

New York City's Central Park takes center stage on the Winter Wonderland float. A recreation of the Park's Gothic Bridge sets the magical tone followed by vintage streetlights, illuminated Christmas trees and fresh fallen snow. The frozen pond serves as a perch position for a world-famous frog who will recount the importance of believing this holiday season. On board for the magic will be Kermit the Frog and Camp Broadway who will perform the Bill Schermerhorn/Wesley Whatley penned soon to be classic "I Believe in Santa Claus."

                            WOODLAND FAMILY GATHERING
                            OCEAN SPRAY(R) CRANBERRIES

The first Thanksgiving is a perfect day for a Woodland family gathering! A 16-foot tall Goose, 12-foot tall Beaver and 5-foot tall Mouse are just some of the woodland friends gathering to enjoy the bounty of the Thanksgiving harvest. From 10-foot long ears of corn to pumpkins, squash and delicious cranberries, the entire critter family will gather to give Thanks and share in the gifts of the season. Sharing in the Thanksgiving feast is James Taylor singing "America the Beautiful."

All performing talent subject to change.

For more information on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, please call the Macy's Parade Hotline at (212) 494-4495 or visit www.macysparade.com

SOURCE Macy?s