Big news from Skylands! Skylanders, the popular kids video game that brings physical toys to life, is taking flight in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time! Fan-favorite Skylanders character Eruptor will join the prestigious collection of balloons at the parade, marking a significant pop culture milestone for the franchise.
To re-create Eruptor’s smoldering physique, artists used more than 40 gallons of florescent paint and five barrels of glitter! The live broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. all time zones on NBC. A sneak peek of the Eruptor balloon can be viewed via the attached graphic rendering and through additional assets in the link below.
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Fan-favorite character Eruptor, who will be flying high above the New York City skyline, hails from deep in the underground of a floating volcanic island that launched his entire civilization to the surface after a massive eruption. He’s a complete hot head – steaming, fuming, and quite literally erupting over almost anything.
I had the privilege of covering the Macy”s Balloon Fest at Citi-Field in Queens one cold Saturday morning but it was all worth it. I got to see 6 new balloons that will be in the parade inflated and taken around the lot for a test run. It was very exciting. Usually I take the kids the night before Thanksgiving to see the balloons inflated on Central Park West but this was way cool. When you’re standing there and see how big they are right in your face and taken down its amazing and they are huge. I loved Paddington Bear, Skylander’s Eruptor and the Pillsbury DoughBoy the best. It was a great morning getting to see these new balloons first and be behind the scenes with the volunteers who have make sure they handles these enormous balloons just right. Hopefully the weather will hold up for the inflation of the balloons tonight and the parade tomorrow. I would love to take the kids to both events if weather allows us and food is prepared. Fingers crossed.
STARS ON PARADE
The star power on Thanksgiving Day comes courtesy of performers from music, film, sports, theatre and television. As they reach their marks on 34th Street, the nation will enjoy their spectacular performances. Joining the festivities this year are the Big Apple Circus, Before You Exit, William Blake, Sabrina Carpenter, Cirque du Soleil, Hilary Duff, Renee Fleming, Becky G., Lucy Hale, Nick Jonas, KISS, Sandra Lee, The Madden Brothers, Idina Menzel, Miss USA 2014- Nia Sanchez, MKTO, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, NEEDTOBREATH, NHL® legends John LeClair and Pat LaFontaine, Pentatonix, Romeo Santos, Cole Swindell, Meghan Trainor, The Vamps, Quvenzhané Wallis, and more.
Kicking off the march will be a special group of children who have embodied the Parade’s spirit of teamwork. Throughout their remarkable run this past season at the Little League World Series, Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons displayed an inspiring level of collaboration, spirit and camaraderie – as perfectly evidenced by the group’s embrace and support of star pitcher Mo’ne Davis. In honor of that exemplary effort this year the Taney Dragons will lead the procession down the streets of Manhattan with Macy’s Parade executive producer Amy Kule.
GIANTS IN THE SKY
The Parade’s signature giant balloons have for decades showcased the world’s most recognized characters. This year, Macy’s will introduce the biggest class of new balloons in its history. Six new giant characters will take to the sky including The Weinstein Company’s loveable Peruvian bear Paddington™; the always electrifying Pikachu™; the warm giggling Pillsbury Doughboy®; the vanquisher of evil the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger; the lava spewing Skylanders® Eruptor; and the friendly locomotive Thomas the Tank Engine®.
Rounding out the ballooning line-up are returning favorites including Adventure Time with Finn & Jake, Diary of A Wimpy Kid®, The Elf on the Shelf®, Hello Kitty®, Papa Smurf, Ronald McDonald®, Snoopy and Woodstock, Spider-Man, SpongeBob SquarePants and Toothless of How to Train Your Dragon. In addition, the balloon cast includes new balloonicles (a Macy’s Parade hybrid of cold-air balloon and vehicle) of the famed-spokesduck the Aflac Duck and Cloe the Holiday Clown, as well as the return of the KOOL-AID Man. In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the film classic, balloonheads of The Wizard of OZ™ characters will also make a special appearance.
FLOATING SCENE MAKERS
Macy’s floating stages take to the streets bringing a collection of whimsical treats that transport spectators into worlds of fantasy. This year’s five new fantasy floats include Cracker Jack® Popcorn’s At the Ball Game; Sino-American Friendship Association’s Beauty of Beijing, Dora and Friends: Aventuras Fantasticas, GoldieBlox™’s The Girl-Powered Spinning Machine, and Pirate Booty®’s Treasure Hunt.
The returning float roster includes 1-2-3 Sesame Street; Big Apple; Bridge To The Future; Daytime, Play Time, Night Time Too…; Dreamseeker by Cirque du Soleil®; Enchanting World of Lindt Chocolate; Frozen Fall Fun; Goldfish® on Parade; International Cele-bear-ation Clock Tower; It’s All Rock & Roll; Marion-Carole Showboat; Mount Rushmore’s American Pride; On The Roll Again; Pep Rally; Santa’s Sleigh; The Smurfs™; Stirrin’ Up Sweet Sensations; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Tom Turkey; Waves of Conservation; Winter Wonderland In Central Park; and A World at Sea.
Who’s your favorite character or float? Do you attend the parade as a guest or as a spectator? Is this a tradition with you and your family? Do you prefer to watch it as a family on television?
Disclosure: I was invited to cover media event for Balloon Fest by Skylanders. Opinions are 100% mine. I was not compensated for this post.
Enjoy the pics.
Five Little Words 
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