Behind the Scenes of Flying a Giant Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon

2026 is the 100th anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in NYC- so gather around, listen to a seasoned pilot describe an account of what it is like to participate as a volunteer in the Flight Management program. The course will include a first-hand perspective of piloting a helium character balloon, such as Snoopy, with supporting photographic and video material. We will explore the different roles volunteers have, what it is like to be a participant in the parade, the mechanics of flying a balloon, and share some personal anecdotes from 20 years of parade experience.