From the runaway cat Felix to the infamous Barney catastrophe

Every year, audiences at home and on the streets of New York City await the large, colorful balloons of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – first held on November 25, 1924 – as they float across their screens and through the city’s winding streets. While these larger-than-life inflatables often glide along smoothly, occasionally something can go wrong due to wind, rain, snow, or even an annoying street sign.

From a deflated Kermit the Frog to a confused Superman, here are some of the biggest balloon fiascoes in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade history.

Felix the cat flies away in the 1927 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

During the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927, marchers walk with the “Felix the Cat” balloon.
Courtesy of Macy’s

“Felix the Cat” was the first balloon in the parade and made its debut in 1927. However, according to TIME, there was no plan to deflate him after the event, so aides released him — and he promptly ruptured.

Mighty Mouse collapses at the 1956 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Mighty Mouse balloon deflates at Columbus Circle during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 1956.
Hal Mathewson/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

According to TIME, Mighty Mouse failed to “save the day” in 1956 when she crashed into a street sign and collapsed immediately.

Popeye’s hat spills water at the 1957 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Popeye the balloon stands 56 feet tall the day before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1957.
NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

During the rainy 1957 parade, Popeye’s iconic hat filled with water — and at a sharp turn, the cool liquid spilled onto some unpleasantly surprised spectators.

Kermit the Frog hits a tree at the 1985 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Kermit the Frog balloon descends during the 65th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1985.
MARK D. PHILLIPS/AP/REX/Shutterstock

At the time, the 1985 Thanksgiving parade was one of the rainiest on record, according to The Weather Channel. That was bad news for Kermit the Frog, who crashed into a tree and tore it apart.

Superman gets tangled in a tree at the 1986 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Superman balloon is pierced by a tree during the 1986 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Superman Homepage/YouTube

Not so great? In 1986, Superman had his arm ripped off mid-parade after becoming tangled in a tree, as captured in this video.

Bugs Bunny rips at the 1989 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Bugs Bunny balloon floats over the Great Lawn in Central Park during the 1989 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Monica Almeida/NY Daily News Archive/Getty

The 1989 parade took place in a blizzard and wreaked havoc on several balloons – including Bugs Bunny – who suffered a tear in the process, they say The New York Times.

At the 1993 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, two balloons hit streetlights

The Rex balloon deflates during the 67th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1993.
KATHY WILLENS/AP/REX/Shutterstock

The 1993 parade was a difficult affair for balloons: Rex the Dinosaur and Sonic the Hedgehog both hit streetlights and deflated almost immediately (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Barney loses his breath at the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Protesters pose with the Barney balloon during the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
NBCU Photo Bank

On parade day in 1997, winds reached speeds of 45 miles per hour, making it particularly difficult for volunteers to control the balloons. Poor Barney suffered a tear and collapsed dramatically. Accordingly Esquire, In fact, the inflatable dinosaur had to be moved about 15 blocks away before it made it into the stands.

A Keith Haring balloon takes over the broadcast booth at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

A Keith Haring balloon floats during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2008.
Erik C. Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock

Al Roker, Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer got a rather unpleasant surprise in 2008 when a Keith Haring balloon took a wide turn and crashed directly into their broadcast booth, temporarily knocking them off the air.

Several balloons deflate at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

A view of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” balloon during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC on November 23, 2023.

Gotham/GC images

During the 97th annual parade, social media had major issues with several balloons appearing to run out of air. Balloons for Diary of a Wimpy KidGreg Heffley and Toys R Us mascot Geoffrey the giraffe looked slightly limp while Snoopy and One pieceMonkey D. Luffy had noticeably droopy hats.

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