An event that can be just as fun and exciting as watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, is watching the balloon inflation the night before. The Thanksgiving Parade balloons are inflated every year on the day before Thanksgiving (November 25, 2009) on the blocks surrounding the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.

77th and 81st streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue are closed to traffic and the balloons are inflated on those two streets. The timing of the event is from approximately 4-8pm.

The Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation gets extrememly crowded but it is organized. A line begins on Central Park West, behind the museum and everyone circles around the museum to see all of the balloons get inflated. Expect the line to move very slowly at the beginning, but it gets less hectic as you move on.

In 2009, the new balloons will be a Pillsbury Doughboy and updated versions of Mickey Mouse, Ronald McDonald and Spiderman. As long as your family doesn't mind intense crowds, watching the ballons get inflated for the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade can be lots of fun for all ages.

See also:
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route changes in 2009
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Eve - Watching Balloon Inflation
Thanksgiving television episodes, specials and football