MAGICAL FLOATING SCENES

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1 Media Contacts: Orlando Veras / Holly Thomas / Orlando.Veras@macys.com / Holly.Thomas@macys.com MAGICAL FLOATING SCENES THE 83 RD ANNUAL MACY S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE TAKES A RIDE ON THEATRICAL FLOATING STAGES LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN GET A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW FANTASY FLOATS DURING MACY S STUDIO DAY ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 TH New York, NY - November 2, 2009 Scenes of wonder and majesty abound on the fleet of fantasy at the 83 rd Annual Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The procession s famed floats are a theatrical cornucopia of landscapes that entertain spectators with larger-than-life scenes of fancy. Created out of foam, wood, metal and paint, the magical transformations aboard these moving stages can be gauged in the faces of millions, as the Parade passes by leaving a trail of mesmerized spectators. A convoy of 24 floats including 3 new additions will take to the streets on Thanksgiving Day for a holiday journey filled with laughter, song and merriment. The new float line-up includes a salute to the heroes in our everyday lives on the Local Heroes Helping Everyday float; a magical land where friends come to life to play and dance on the There s A Party in My City float, and the first new Santa s Sleigh in more than 40 years. Imagination brings to life these enchanted landscapes made by the extraordinary team of the Macy s Parade Studio. Created every year by the team of designers, carpenters, painters, animators, and electricians who work year-round to construct the Parade s moving stages, the landscapes all begin with a simple pencil sketch. From here the initial concept guides the designers through a process that includes creating working miniature models of the float, drafting blueprints and constructing every piece of the elaborate scenes from scratch. The process is both creative and technical, as the team must take into consideration factors such as weather, dimensions and the logistics of assembling and disassembling floats in the middle of New York City streets. The biggest piece of the float puzzle Macy s Media Relations 11 Penn Plaza, 11 th Floor New York, NY 10001

2 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 2 revolves around the dimensions of each new float. Regardless of how elaborate these stories-tall floats are, they must all conform to the same restriction they must fit through New York s Lincoln Tunnel. The Parade Studio, home to the fleet, is in Hoboken, NJ. Due to this, each float must be engineered in such a way that they collapse to no more than 12 ½-feet tall and 8-feet wide in size, which enables them to be transported through the Tunnel on Thanksgiving Eve. Each float is an intricate masterpiece of engineering and imagination. From the multiple hours spent giving the float a lacquer of paint and glitter for that special twinkle in the light to the weather-proofing of the finished product, the small details are what make the floats stand the scrutiny of millions. Once the floats are ready for the big day, the entire fleet is transported to the starting line at 77 th Street and Central Park West, and re-assembled overnight in preparation for the step off. Before the big day arrives, the floats get a kid stamp of approval when some very lucky school children get a preview of the new fleet at Macy s Studio Day. Taking place this year on Tuesday, November 17 th, a few hundred local New Jersey school children will get a tour of the factory of wonder and a sneak peek at the magic in store for Thanksgiving. Following is the Complete Cast of Floats in the 83 rd Annual Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade 123 SESAME STREET NAMM, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC MERCHANTS Celebrating their 40 th birthday, the most famous street in the world, Sesame Street returns to the lineup. A place where friends gather to enjoy the magic of the season, the stoop of 123 Sesame Street will be alive with music as Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Oscar the Grouch and Elmo along with a slew of their friends delight the crowds with their musical abilities this year. With help from their friends at NAMM, the cast along with the children on board will show spectators the importance that music plays in the lives of kids everywhere as they bring the magic of musical instruments to life this Thanksgiving. All of the friends remind us this is a great time of year for families to enjoy making music together. At 32-feet long, 20-feet wide, and 2 stories tall, the Sesame Street float will rock the holidays as it reaches another famous crossroad, 34th Street, where the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street will perform a medley of What Makes Music and Sing.

3 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 3 BIG APPLE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS The Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and of course Macy s, share the landscape with New York s signature taxi cabs and subway stations on the New York Daily News Big Apple float. With a giant 30-foot inflatable apple at its core, the float perfectly represents the frenzied and bustling city. BOUNTIFUL HARVEST CORNUCOPIA A Thanksgiving marvel, the Bountiful Harvest Cornucopia float features a giant horn of plenty overflowing with fall s favorite fruits and harvest. Giant grapes, cherries, pumpkins and other delectable treats adorn the 38-foot long and 21-foot wide scrumptious delight. On board to share in the bounty of the season will be Kermit the Frog and Tiffany Thornton who will perform the Parade s theme song I Believe. BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE HESS CORPORATION A modernized reproduction of New York City s famed Brooklyn Bridge transforms into the Delta Y Tri-Suspension Bridge of Tomorrow on the Bridge to the Future float. Iconic New York City transportation hubs are featured on this 32-foot long, 20-foot wide and 30-foot tall float that incorporates an elevated highway. Making its Parade debut on Thanksgiving Day will be the 2009 Hess Race Car & Racer. The new collectible toy marks the 45 th anniversary of the Hess Toy collection and only the second time in Hess Toy Truck history that the featured vehicle is a car and not a truck. On board to share in the bridge to the future will be rock band Boys Like Girls. THE CARE BEARS WINTER FUN-DERLAND AMERICAN GREETINGS The Care Bears send hugs and happy wishes from their magical home in Care-a-lot! With heart-shaped trees, bushes and lampposts gingerly overlooking the ice-skaters on Heartland Pond, the Care Bears are here to prove that caring makes wishes come true by spreading holiday cheer everywhere they go. Skating on the frozen pond, Funshine Bear and Oopsy Bear are having a fun-tastic time as their best pals Cheer Bear, Share Bear and even Grumpy Bear join in. Sharing a special treat with the Care Bears will be superstar Carly Simon.

4 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 4 CASTLE OF DREAMS MY PRINCESS ACADEMY Four guiding pillars lead the way to the sparkling vision of glitter, pink and purple of the Castle of Dreams. Featuring more than 230,000 flecks of glitter topped with waving flags, and enchanted pets from the My Princess Academy virtual online world, the Castle of Dreams is where young girls learn the four important principles that define true Princesses - intelligence, beauty, confidence, and generosity. Princess Skylar, founder of My Princess Academy, will welcome little Princesses on board as they travel down the route. CELE-BEAR-ATE HUGS WORLDWIDE BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP Take a beary special trip around the world this holiday season with everyone s favorite childhood friend, the loveable Teddy Bear! Build-A-Bear Workshop huggable mascots Bearemy and Pawlette Coufur joined by Holly and Hal Moose will once again ring in the holiday cele-bear-ation along with some beary special furry friends from around the globe on the International Teddy Bear float. From the USA to countries around the world, bear hugs are universal. Sharing the hugs with millions of spectators along the route will be True Jackson, VP star Keke Palmer who will debut the song Top of the World. DOODLEBUG Slinking down the Parade route is Macy s favorite cutie pie crawler the Doodlebug. A kid favorite, the Doodlebug s colorful smile brings joy to the faces of the littlest ones gathered along the streets on Thanksgiving Day. JOLLY POLLY PIRATE SHIP Ahoy mateys! It s Pirate season as a grand schooner ship sets sail in Manhattan with its beautiful Polly Parrot sail at full mast. At 38-feet long, 8-feet wide and 40-feet tall, the ship is manned by 30 Pirate Kids who serve as the Pirate King s first mates. Along for the voyage will be Grammy winner Ziggy Marley who will perform Family Time with his daughter Judah Marley.

5 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 5 LOCAL HEROES HELPING EVERYDAY HAMBURGER HELPER This Thanksgiving, we give thanks and recognize our neighborhood firefighters, doctors, nurses, crossing guards and police officers on the Local Heroes Helping Every Day float. Just like Hamburger Helper, which each day helps families across America with dinner, these important people lend a helping hand every day and should be celebrated. Taking center stage on the float is a very special fire truck, complete with a hydraulic ladder, that will bring about a happy ending this Thanksgiving as all of our local heroes come together to save a distressed cat caught up in a tree. On board to help salute these helpers will be R&B artist Jay Sean performing one of his hits. M&M S CHOCOLATE CANDIES ON BROADWAY MARS SNACKFOOD US Taking center stage and making colorful entrances once more are the truly talented M&M s characters. Red and Yellow, along with Blue, Orange and Ms. Green have transformed into Broadway superstars taking the stage in the best productions on the boards. The colorful chocolate bunch take on roles in some of Broadway s best-hit musicals including Spamalot, A Chorus Line, Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera. Joining the tasty stars will be Broadway and film star Alan Cumming performing That s Life. MARION-CAROL SHOWBOAT Sailing full steam down the streets of New York is the largest vessel to ever float down the line of march, the Marion-Carol Showboat. The Showboat is a 33-foot tall, 16-foot wide and 42-foot long masterpiece. Complete with an authentic looking paddlewheel and twin smokestacks, the Showboat will host a performance by The Pizzarelli Quartet. MUSICAL INNOVATION BIGGER THAN LIFE GIBSON GUITAR Music comes to life once again this Thanksgiving as the Gibson Musical Innovation Bigger Than Life float returns to the Macy s Parade line-up. Featuring a massive Gibson Les Paul Guitar as its centerpiece, the float takes music to a whole new scale as giant instruments take center stage. The musicians in all of us will be thrilled to see an awesome amplifier and classic piano hit the right notes on the over-the-top float as it rocks to the holiday beat. Headlining the musical bonanza will be Jimmy Fallon and The Roots performing a medley of holiday songs.

6 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 6 PEP SQUAD MIKE MILLER & ASSOCIATES SPECIAL EVENTS LET S GO MACY S, LET S GO! Three cheers for the Pep Squad. Bold, bright and colorful, this float puts the pep in the step off. Riding aboard this charming unit are 20 spirited, cheerleading kids showing they really do know how to get the party started. In celebration of the 30 th Anniversary of her disco classic, Gloria Gaynor will perform I Will Survive to loud cheers from spectators. SANTA S SLEIGH Straight from the North Pole is the one-and-only Santa Claus. For the first time in more than 40 years, Santa will be making his grand entrance on a new Sleigh. Depicting Santa s travel on Christmas Eve, we see good old St. Nick as he leaves the North Pole on his magical journey. The North Pole is showcased by Santa s Toyshop home and by a giant ice and granite obelisk that is supported by ice sculptures of a Walrus and a Polar Bear. Santa s Sleigh is a colossal float that measures 60-feet long, 22-feet wide and is 3 ½ stories tall. As Santa leaves the North Pole he flies over his home and begins his worldwide voyage sure to make children of all ages, BELIEVE! SHINE ON JIMMY DEAN Morning, noon and night, the Jimmy Dean Shine On float brings the bright optimism of a new day to breakfast. Featuring a giant plate centerpiece, the float serves up the scene of an energized day. From the setting crescent moon to the brilliant rising sun, the colorful float completes the morning ritual with a few delicious goodies. THE SMURFS LAFIG BELGIUM / SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT Leaving Smurf Village for a fun day in Manhattan, Smurf, Papa Smurf and Smurfette will ride along on a smurf-tastic float following the 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 is an inflatable balloon too! SNOOPY S DOGHOUSE

7 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 7 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE Snoopy s famous doghouse is air traffic control headquarters and Woodstock is the official in charge. As Flying Ace Snoopy returns to the sky over the Macy s Parade, his pal Woodstock helps guide the way down the route. Checking out the scene to watch the Flying Ace s trip will be the PEANUTS gang including Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus. SPIRIT OF LIBERTY Illuminated by a ring of stars, Lady Liberty returns to the Parade in all her patriotic glory. America s symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty, is immortalized on this 21- foot high, 19-foot long and 15-foot wide unit that features a replica of the head, shoulders and tablet of the beloved Lady in the Harbor. Aboard for the patriotic ride will be Miss America Katie Stam. TOM TURKEY America s favorite Thanksgiving bird returns to the Parade line-up. Always ready to lead the celebration, Tom Turkey is one giant bird measuring 21-feet tall and 20-feet wide. Dressed in his holiday best, Tom is covered in brilliantly colored plumage, festive collar and sports a very fashionable blue award ribbon. Ever the gracious host, Tom will greet his millions of Thanksgiving Day guests by bobbing his head and flapping his wings. THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING ONEIDA INDIAN NATION The Oneida Indian Nation s representation of the creation story is beautifully retold on the majestic True Spirit of Thanksgiving float. The float illustrates the tale of Sky Woman, who one day came to rest upon a turtle s back, showcased on the float by a giant turtle that symbolizes 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 the Iroquois Dancers who will regale spectators with authentic Native American dances. THERE S A PARTY IN MY CITY

8 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 8 YO GABBA GABBA LIVE! The magical world of Yo Gabba Gabba Live! comes to life on the brand new There s A Party in My City float. Designed by the magicians at the Macy s Parade Studio to mirror the show s theme of teaching kids simple lessons through music, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of colorful characters, including Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex and Toodee, will ride on board the float. Together, they will debut a special dancey dance number that has never been seen before. WINTER WONDERLAND IN CENTRAL PARK DELTA AIR LINES New York City s most famous urban oasis, Central Park takes center stage on the Winter Wonderland in Central Park float. An intricate 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 skating rink for Team USA and Olympic Figure Skater, Emily Hughes. Sharing the magic on board will be Andrea Bocelli who will perform the classic White Christmas. WOODLAND FAMILY GATHERING OCEAN SPRAY CRANBERRIES The first Thanksgiving is a perfect day for a Woodland family gathering! Grandma Goose heads the table measuring 16-feet tall. The 12-foot tall Mr. Beaver and 5-foot tall Mouse are just some of the woodland friends gathered around a beautiful log table to enjoy the bounty of the Thanksgiving harvest. From 10-foot long ears of corn to pumpkins, squash and delicious cranberries, the entire woodland critter family will gather to give thanks and share in the gifts of the season. SPECIAL UNITS CAST McDONALD S BIG RED SHOE CAR Ronald McDonald, the world s most famous clown, is riding down the Parade route in his one of a kind, Big Red Shoe Car. Joining Ronald on this fun holiday trip will be his friends the talented McKids. MACH 5 SPEED RACER Fans of Speed Racer will get a thrill during the 83rd Annual Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade. At nearly 17-feet long and able to reach speeds of 180 mph, Speed and Trixie will be behind the wheel as the real Mach 5 makes its debut appearance driving down the Parade route this November.

9 Macy s Parade Floats, Page 9 MOUNTED PARKS ENFORCEMENT PATROL and NYPD MOUNTED UNIT Sixteen New York City Park Rangers and Police Officers make up an old fashioned cavalry as they ride down the route on horseback saluting Parade spectators along the way. NYPD HIGHWAY PATROL MOTORCYCLE UNIT Gentlemen start your engines! New York City Police Officers will officially escort the 83 rd Parade down the entire route. PLANTERS NUTMOBILE Since its creation in 1998, the Planters NutMobile has traveled more than 125,000 miles across the country leaving no doubt that its V6 engine is fueled by peanut oil! On board for the holiday ride will the ever-fashionable Mr. Peanut, who wears a monocle measuring 11.5 inches in diameter and a 32-foot high top hat. PLEASE NOTE ALL TALENT, PERFORMANCES. LINE UP AND INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. # # #