Louisiana’s alligator-shaped float, named the “Celebration Gator,” will once again roll in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City this year.
The parade is in its 97th year. This is the third year the Celebration Gator has taken the trip.
Louisiana connections
Jon Batiste, in a 2023 publicity photo tied to the release of his ‘World Music Radio’ album.
Three Louisiana musicians will be participating in the parade this year.
Amanda Shaw, a Cajun fiddler from Mandeville, and Alex Smith, a country singer from Alexandria, will represent the state on the gator float.
Jon Batiste will also perform with the parade.
How to watch
The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. Thursday and runs until noon.
Viewers can stream it on Peacock or watch it live on NBC.
History of the Celebration Gator
Louisiana’s “Celebration Gator” will be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2022. This a photo that was taken before the 2021 parade. (photo via Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser)
The 60-foot “Celebration Gator” is the longest float in the parade, organizers said.
Louisiana officials spent $1.375 million to have the float in the parade for three years.
The float “is a tribute to Louisiana’s rich culture, from its grand riverboats to the famous French Quarter,” according to the Macy’s Parade description.
What else is in the parade?
The parade this year will feature 25 balloons, 31 floats, 18 big names and multiple marching bands.
Of the 25 balloons, seven are new:
- Beagle scout snoopy
- Blue cat and chugs
- Kung Fu Panda’s Po
- Leo
- Monkey D. Luffy
- The Pillsbury Doughboy
- Uncle Dan
There are six new floats this year, including:
- Camp Snoopy from the premiere of the Camp Snoopy series on Apple TV+
- Good Burger Mobile by Nickelodeon and Paramount
- Igniting Memories by Solo Stove
- Mutant Mayhem from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Palace of Sweets by Brach’s candy
- The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka from Warner Bros. Pictures
Eleven marching bands will participate in the parade, including Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagle Regiment Marching Band and Texas Tech University Goin’ Band from Raiderland.
In addition to the Louisiana artists, other performers include Brandy, Cher and Pentatonix.
Related:
How to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which features Louisiana’s gator float
Louisiana’s gator float to roll in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade again: 9 things to know
Trombone Shorty to ride Celebration Gator float at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
After a Pygmalion float hit a tree and a rider fell from a float, parade temporarily paused
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