The Woman Behind the Macy's Parade

Without a doubt, the biggest event of this week is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. So we talked to Jean McFaddin, Macy's senior VP of PR and events, who has been planning the nationally watched event since 1977. McFaddin told us about how she puts together the parade. "[It] won't be wonderful if every float and balloon is new," she said. "Part of the appeal is the sense of tradition. It's important to decide what your icons are, when you can rotate them and when you cannot...We try to bring something fresh and new to our events while preserving what is traditional and best."

One new entry: Ask Jeeves. The first dot-com with a balloon in the parade is also hosting a party at the New-York Historical Society, with food by Matthew Kenney Catering & Events, on the night before the event.

Posted 11.21.00