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Giant inflatable Bluey bursts before Thanksgiving Day Parade

A giant inflatable Bluey was the star of the show at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – but because of a last minute emergency, the loveable blue heeler almost didn’t make it

The crowd heard a bang and a loud gust of air come from Bluey as she was getting inflated, but luckily she was repaired in time for the parade. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
The crowd heard a bang and a loud gust of air come from Bluey as she was getting inflated, but luckily she was repaired in time for the parade. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

READING LEVEL: GREEN

There were fears for Bluey fans celebrating Thanksgiving in New York this year set to be deflated by some shocking news.

A 16-metre long balloon of the beloved hit kids’ TV character popped while it was being inflated but thankfully made a quick recovery so that it was ready to fly high above crowds during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Each year the famous parade in New York kicks off the Thanksgiving holiday and is a big hit with kids and adults alike, who come from far and wide to watch giant inflatable characters parade down the skyscraper-lined streets.

Crowds watching the balloons get filled with air heard a “loud noise” and a “gust of air” coming from Bluey as the cartoon dog suffered a large puncture* in one of her paws, the New York Post reported.

The Bluey balloon team march during the Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
The Bluey balloon team march during the Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

But organisers worked overtime to make sure the beloved character was ready to star in the high flying parade that features 22 big balloons, 34 floats and seven wheeled “balloonicles*”.

New York’s Police Chief of Patrol John Chell assured fans that Bluey would be a “champion” in the parade. And she was!

“Hey all, the balloons are ready and I’m glad to report that Bluey is recovering!,” NYPD Chief Chell posted to social media platform X ahead of the parade.

“Bluey is going to play like a champion”.

Bluey was fixed in time for the parade. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
Bluey was fixed in time for the parade. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

Bluey is a favourite among young spectators* in America and around the world.

The show first aired in 2018 and is all about Bluey, a female Blue Heeler pup, her younger sister Bingo and her parents, Chilli and Bandit.

The series has even had guest appearances from Hollywood actors, including Rose Byrne, Natalie Portman and Eva Mendes.

Minnie Mouse made an appearance. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
Minnie Mouse made an appearance. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
So did SpongeBob SquarePants. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
So did SpongeBob SquarePants. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

While Bluey the balloon triumphed, organisers were worried about heavy rainfall.

A Thanksgiving Day storm was expected to bring rain throughout the length of the parade with some heavy downpours, with winds picking up as the day wore on.

Even Ronald McDonald was there. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
Even Ronald McDonald was there. Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
Could this be the world’s biggest minion? Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
Could this be the world’s biggest minion? Picture: Kena Betancur / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP
Goku, from Dragon Ball, floats down the busy New York streets. Picture: Charly Triballeau / AFP
Goku, from Dragon Ball, floats down the busy New York streets. Picture: Charly Triballeau / AFP

The iconic* balloons can’t fly if winds reach a sustained* 37km/h, although the forecast centre expected winds of about 16-31km/h.

Nevertheless, the show went on and Bluey led the pack. Other balloon stars included Spider-Man, Minnie Mouse, SpongeBob SquarePants, Ronald McDonald and many more.

A Dora the Explorer balloon floats down the street. Picture: David Dee Delgado / AFP
A Dora the Explorer balloon floats down the street. Picture: David Dee Delgado / AFP
Cheerleaders perform in the rain in front of a large turkey. Picture: David Dee Delgado / AFP
Cheerleaders perform in the rain in front of a large turkey. Picture: David Dee Delgado / AFP

Together they all floated 4km downtown, past landmarks such as Radio City Music Hall, to Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, braving the rain and chill, as crowds cheered them on.

This was the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was first held in 1924 and only paused from 1942 to 1944 during World War II.

POLL

GLOSSARY

  • puncture: hole
  • balloonicles: cold-air balloon figures fitted on top of vehicles invented especially for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
  • spectators: people watching the parade
  • iconic: symbolic or representative of popular culture
  • sustained: long-lasting

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QUICK QUIZ
1. Why was a giant Bluey balloon floating in the skies of New York?
2. What happened to the balloon to make fans wonder if Bluey would be OK?
3. When was the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held?
4. What two years was the event paused and why?
5. What were two other cartoon characters to feature as giant inflatables in the parade?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What is Thanksgiving?
While Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the United States, it is not popular in Australia. Many Australians would have a very limited knowledge of the occasion. Help Aussies learn about Thanksgiving by creating a one-page “Thanksgiving for Aussies” info sheet. Include key information such as the date, purpose, origin and traditions of the holiday. Present your work with theme appropriate colours and designs.

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Intercultural Understanding

2. Extension
Choose a theme that you love and design a Thanksgiving Parade float based on this theme. You can draw or construct a model of the float, making it as elaborate as you please.

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Visual Arts

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.