This year's Macy's balloon inflation marks the end of an era for an Eyewitness News tradition

WABC logo
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Cub reporter Jacob Einiger breaks down this year's Thanksgiving Parade floats
Josh Einiger gets some help from his son Jacob to break down this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade floats.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- You know the saying, "the kids grow up so fast"? Well, that phrase held an even bigger meaning for the Eyewitness News family at Macy's famed Thanksgiving Parade balloon inflation on Wednesday.



Every year, for more than a decade, Eyewitness News reporter Michelle Charlesworth's children Jack and Isabelle give a behind-the-scenes look at the balloon inflation festivities on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.



But this year, it also marked their final report.



On Wednesday, Jack and Isabelle passed the torch and introduced the newest Eyewitness News cub reporter Jacob, the son of our reporter Josh Einiger.



Together they highlighted the balloons that will be floating in Manhattan, including six featured character helium balloon stars and 32 novelty and heritage inflatables.


Michelle Charlesworth's kids pass the baton to Josh Einiger's son.


One of those floats, a Minion balloon, appeared to suffer a small leak, which Jacob promptly investigated.



"Things happen. They're balloons but they usually are able to handle it pretty good. We rarely lose a balloon for the parade," Linda Volkommer said.



This is Volkommer's 38th year working on the parade. She says she never misses it.



"To see people so happy. Look at the children with what's going on in the world? Look at this. And everybody's laughing and smiling. You go home happy," Volkommer said.



2023 BALLOONS



The new class includes Beagle Scout Snoopy by Peanuts Worldwide; Blue Cat & Chugs by Cool Cats, a digitally native character; Kung Fu Panda's Po by Universal Pictures' Dreamworks Animation; Leo by Netflix, Inc.; Monkey D. Luffy by Toei Animation Inc.; Pillsbury Doughboy by Pillsbury; and Uncle Dan by Illumination.



RELATED: Street closures due to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade



FEATURED BALLOONS ON 77TH STREET



Beagle Scout Snoopy (NEW)


Smokey Bear


Diary of A Wimpy Kid


Bluey & Keepy Uppy Balloon



Blue Cat & Chugs (NEW)


Baby Shark


Spongebob SquarePants & Gary


HF Sinclair's Baby Dino Ballonicles


HF Sinclair's Dino


Leo


Goku



FEATURED BALLOONS ON 81ST STREET



Go Bowling Balloonicles


Ronald McDonald


Chase from PAW Patrol



Stuart the Minion


Uncle Dan (NEW)


Funko Pop! inspired Grogu


Monkey D. Luffy (NEW)


Kung Fu Panda's Po (NEW)


Red Titan


Pillsbury Doughboy(NEW)


Pikachu & Eevee



RELATED: More to know about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade



----------


* Get Eyewitness News Delivered


* More Manhattan news


* Send us a news tip


* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts


* Follow us on YouTube


Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.