Balloon Inflation and Parade Logistics

The Macy's staff engages in a flurry of activity 24 hours before the parade, preparing 25 floats and 44 balloons. The floats travel from Hoboken to Manhattan, passing through the Lincoln Tunnel. Initially, balloon inflation was a secretive early morning event, but it has grown into a popular attraction. On parade day, balloons march down Broadway, and crews later deflate and pack them for next year. The entire process, from setup to dismantling, is a coordinated effort that concludes with returning everything to the Hoboken studio.

What is the starting point for the floats' journey to Manhattan?

• Lincoln Tunnel

• Herold Square

• Hoboken Studio

• Central Park West

Which tunnel do the floats pass through on their way to Manhattan?

• Holland Tunnel

• Lincoln Tunnel

• Queens-Midtown Tunnel

• Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel

What time of day do the staff assemble the floats before the parade?

• Night

• Evening

• Afternoon

• Early morning

What was the original timing for balloon inflation?

• Evening

• Early morning

• Night

• Late afternoon

How many people now attend the balloon inflation event each year?

• Over a million

• Half a million

• A third of a million

• A quarter of a million

What happens to the balloons after the parade?

• They are given to spectators

• They are stored in Central Park

• They are deflated and packed

• They are released into the sky

How long does it take to inflate a balloon?

• 3 hours

• 1.5 to 2 hours

• 30 minutes

• 1 hour

What is one of the least known parts of the parade?

• The dismantling and deflation

• The parade route

• The balloon inflation

• The float assembly

How often do balloons go around the corner during the parade?

• Every 3 minutes

• Every 5 minutes

• Every 6.5 to 7 minutes

• Every 10 minutes

What is the final step in the parade process?

• Returning to the Hoboken studio

• Releasing the balloons

• Marching down Broadway

• Inflating the balloons