© 2024 WLRN
MIAMI | SOUTH FLORIDA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

An Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Look At This Iconic Event

From FLA to NYC, we follow a clown and a high school band as they prepare for the performance of a lifetime.

9pm Thursday JOURNEY TO THE MACY'S PARADE - Documentary

It’s an iconic American holiday tradition like fireworks on the Fourth of July, trick or treating on Halloween or hunting for Easter eggs. Every year on Thanksgiving Day before the family gathers around the table for a celebratory feast, all eyes are on the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

For 94 years, this parade signifies the official start of the holiday season, but what does it really take to be a part of America’s favorite pastime? Journey to the Macy’s Parade gives an uplifting and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a part of one of the largest events of the year. Each year, thousands of parade participants take to the streets of Manhattan to trek 2 ½ miles in front of 3 million spectators and 50 million television viewers.

Our story features Florida's Tarpon Springs Marching Band, one of only ten marching bands selected to perform in the 2013 parade and Chuck Tatelbaum, a serious Fort Lauderdale attorney by day and a Macy’s Parade clown by choice. Chuck joins 900 other clown participants as they prepare for the big day. From practice to performance and everything in between, viewers will watch their journey as they prepare for their biggest event yet.

Tarpon Springs
Felipe Marrou, Jr.
Students from the Tarpon Springs High School Leadership Conservatory for the Arts practicing their routine for the Macy's Parade.

For American's who have made this parade part of their family's Thanksgiving tradition, this entertaining documentary can only confirm the hard work, passion and process it takes to make this much-loved magical display of pageantry that excites fans of all ages.

Journey to the Macy's Parade is a production of WLRN Public Television for South Florida. Written and Produced by Mia Laurenzo.

More On This Topic