Macy Day Parade to Feature a Balloon of Shakespeare's Richard III
Is swift and flies with swallow's wings
We’re thrilled to announce that everyone’s favorite Machiavellian antihero is set to descend on Times Square this Thanksgiving to take part in the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’re so proud of our poisonous hunchbacked toad!
This year there are several literary-inspired balloons, from Candy’s dead dog from Of Mice and Men to Maurice the angry pimp from The Catcher in the Rye, but parade-goers are lining up to see King Richard from Shakespeare’s Richard III.
The balloons were unveiled early Tuesday morning. Since their induction to the parade's line-up in 1927, balloons are a signature part of the event.
His “naked villainy” will be clothed with 50 gallons of black paint and will float above an audience of 3.5 million spectators.
The balloon which was specially created for this event is a staggering 51-feet long, 37-feet wide, and 43-feet tall. The hunch itself is the size of four New York City garbage trucks! That is certainly big enough to shine out the fair sun!
His “naked villainy” will be clothed with 50 gallons of black paint and will float above an audience of 3.5 million spectators.
A specialty rig with an anchor tether will pull all balloons this year, but Richard's complicated design will need the rigs and at least 250 volunteers to anchor his crutches and keep his hunchback inflated. This “dreadful march” will certainly lead to “delightful measures” for all onlookers!
"I'm not sure what this has to do with Thanksgiving," said one confused volunteer. "But damn, that is one marvel of engineering."
Jordan Dabby, this year’s producer of the parade, couldn’t contain his excitement for Old King Crookback.
“As one of the most popular characters from Shakespeare’s tragedies, we could not be more excited to welcome Richard, all the way from Gloucester, to the Macy’s Parade line-up. Millions of Shakespeare fans will be thrilled to see Richard celebrate his first New York Thanksgiving as he soars above the streets of Manhattan on Parade Day.”
Certainly, “Richard might love Richard”, but we here at MF can’t wait to see him take his rightful place alongside the amazing floats, marching bands, and timeless characters at the iconic parade.