# Joe Cool, Bluey among new attractions at Balloonfest ahead of 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/joe-cool-bluey-among-new-attractions-at-balloonfest-ahead-of-100th-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/
- Published: 2026-11-07T16:33:22+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T17:40:28+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/07/us-news/five-new-balloon-characters-are-flying-high-at-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/
- Topics: Culture, Travel, World

## Key points

- Seven new balloons debuted at a New Jersey test run.
- Bluey and Joe Cool join the centennial parade.
- Underdog returns after 42 years away.

## Summary

Seven new character balloons took flight at Balloonfest in New Jersey ahead of the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The additions include Joe Cool, Snoopy’s sunglasses-wearing alter ego, and Bluey, joining more than 100 inflatables in the centennial parade.

The new balloons also feature a cowboy Minion, Hello Kitty holding a red apple, Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Macy’s character Billie Brightpaw and Underdog, returning after last appearing in 1984. Bluey’s balloon is 47.2 feet tall, while Joe Cool’s is 41.6 feet tall; as many as 100 handlers may guide a single balloon. The 2.5-mile parade was founded in 1924 and first featured character balloons in 1927.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.