(23 Nov 1995) English/Nat

Thanksgiving celebrations are underway in New York City.

One of the highlights of Thanksgiving Day is the annual parade put on by the famous department store "Macy's".

But this is no ordinary display of floats and costumes - the crowds take to the streets to see a show of giant balloons brought to life by an army of volunteers.

With a lot of hot air and a little help, this mass of fabric and colour will soon take shape and rise up into the New York skyline.

Some three thousand volunteer workers from Macy's department store have been working through the night to breathe life into 18 giant balloon figures.

The balloons are a regular feature of Macy's parade through downtown New York, and seen on national television.

Technicians use a mixture of helium gas and air to fill the balloons.

When inflated, these cartoon and toy characters will rise as high as 50 to 70 feet into the air.

Macy's began the balloon tradition in 1927. Each year, they introduce at least one new balloon character to the parade.

SOUNDBITE:(English)
"Ok. First we make a little sketch and from the sketch we make a clay model and from the clay model we make a colours model and then it is from there on in - here we have it."
SUPER CAPTION: Manfred Bass, balloon designer.

On this "inflation eve" the balloons draw a big crowd of kids, who have come to watch their favourite characters take shape.

But it is not only the young who enjoy watching the spectacle.

People of all ages will endure the cold to see the balloons inflate.

SOUNDBITE:(English)
"Every year. We try to come every year. Yeah."
QUESTION: Is it still a thrill?
ANSWER: "It is. It's wonderful, we have such a good time."
SUPER CAPTION: New York resident.

Macy's employees labour for weeks to design and build the balloons which have now become such an important part of New York Thanksgiving tradition.

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