We always hear the phrase “Oh, stop living in the past” of which usually is steered towards the fact that someone can not let go of a certain issue or incident. Typically the use of that phrase and the idea of living in the past is associated with a negativity. Many “retro-ist’s” and myself live in the past in a lifestyle sense. My dream has always been to live in a 1950′s house, with an interior stuck in time, and a 50′s or 40′s vintage car leaking oil in the garage. I have a good start on that dream. I live in a house built in 1951, and I have my 1955 Chrysler parked in the garage.
So when I think of why I desire these things and I believe that it is because I was surrounded by family that lived during those times. One of those influential family members was my grand mother on my mom’s side. She started me on some of my favorite traditions. One of those traditions from my childhood of which is a tradition for many other families throughout the United States, is to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade.We would eat freshly baked Cinnamon rolls and watch the wonderful parade. If you don’t know much about the parade, here is a little history about the wonderful New York tradition.
Felix the cat in 1927
In the 1920s, many of Macy’s department store employees were first-generation immigrants. Proud of their new American heritage, they wanted to celebrate the United States parade of Thanksgiving with the type of festival their parents had loved in Europe.
In 1920, the isex parade (originally known as the Macy’s Christmas Parade and later the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Christmas Parade was staged by the store. Employees and professional entertainers marched from 145th Street in Harlem to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes.There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. At this first parade, however, the Jolly Old Elf was enthroned on the Macy’s balcony at the 34th Street store entrance, where he was then “crowned” “King of the Kiddies.” With an audience of over a quarter of a million people, the parade was such a success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event.
Large animal-shaped balloons, produced by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, replaced the live animals in 1927 when the Felix the Cat balloon made its debut. Felix was filled with air, but by the next year, helium was used to fill the expanding cast of balloons.
At the finale of the 1928 parade, the balloons were released into the sky where they unexpectedly burst. The following year they were redesigned with safety valves to allow them to float for a few days. Address labels were sewn into them, so that whoever found and mailed back the discarded balloon received a gift from Macy’s.
Through the 1930s, the Parade continued to grow, with crowds of over 1 million lining the parade route in 1933. The first Mickey Mouse balloon entered the parade in 1934. The annual festivities were broadcast on local New York radio from 1932 through 1941, and resumed in 1945 through 1951.
The parade was suspended 1942–1944 during World War II, owing to the need for rubber and helium in the war effort. The parade resumed in 1945 using the route that it followed until 2008. The parade became a permanent part of American culture after being prominently featured in the 1947 film, Miracle on 34th Street, which shows actual footage of the 1946 festivities. The event was first broadcast on network television in 1948 (see below). By this point the event, and Macy’s sponsorship of it, were sufficiently well-known to give rise to the colloquialism “Macy’s Day Parade”.
Since 1984, the balloons have been made by Raven Industries of Sioux Falls, SD.
Macy’s also sponsors the smaller Celebrate the Season Parade in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, held two days after the main event. Other cities in the US also have parades on Thanksgiving, but they are not run by Macy’s. The nation’s oldest Thanksgiving parade (the Gimbels parade, now known as 6abc-IKEA) was first held in Philadelphia in 1920. Other cities include the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade of Chicago, Illinois and parades in Plymouth, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; Houston, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; and Fountain Hills, Arizona. A parade is also held at the two U.S. Disney theme parks.
New safety measures were incorporated in 2006 to prevent accidents and balloon related injuries. One measure taken was installation of wind measurement devices to alert parade organizers to any unsafe conditions that could cause the balloons to behave erratically. Also, parade officials implemented a measure to keep the balloons closer to the ground during windy conditions. If wind speeds are forecast to be higher than 34 miles per hour, all balloons are removed from the parade.
Balloon Premiers:
2011: Sonic the Hedgehog (2nd Version), Julius (Paul Frank), Tim Burton’s “B”
2010: Greg Heffley, Po from Kung Fu Panda, Virginia O’Hanlon
2009: Pillsbury Doughboy, Sailor Mickey Mouse (4th version), Ronald McDonald (3rd version), Spider-Man (2nd version)
2008: Horton the Elephant, Buzz Lightyear, Smurf
2007: Shrek, Hello Kitty, Abby Cadabby
2006: Pikachu with Poké Ball (2nd version), Energizer Bunny, Flying Ace Snoopy (6th version)
2005: Dora the Explorer, Scooby-Doo, Healthy Mr. Potato Head, JoJo
2004: SpongeBob SquarePants (character), M&M’s, Chicken Little
2003: (Strike up the Band)Barney (2nd version), Super Grover, Garfield (2nd version)
2002: Kermit the Frog (2nd version), Little Bill, Rich Uncle Pennybags, Charlie Brown
2001: Curious George, Big Bird (2nd version), Jimmy Neutron, Pikachu, Cheesasaurus Rex,
2000: Bandleader Mickey Mouse (3rd version), Ronald McDonald (2nd version), Jeeves, Cassie Dragon Tales
1999: Millennium Snoopy (5th version), Honey Nut Cheerios Bee, Blue’s Clues, Petulia Pig
1998: Babe the Pig, Wild Thing, Dexter
1997: Arthur, Rugrats, Bumpé
1996: Rocky and Bullwinkle (2nd version), Peter Rabbit
1995: Dudley the Dragon, SkyDancer, Eben Bear
1994: Barney the Dinosaur, The Cat in the Hat.
1993: Beethoven (dog), Rex, Sonic the Hedgehog (first video game character in parade history), Izzy
1992: Santa Goofy
1991: Babar the Elephant
1990: Clifford the Big Red Dog, Bart Simpson
1989: Bugs Bunny
1988: Big Bird, Pink Panther, Snoopy (4th version) with Woodstock.
1987: Spider-Man, Ronald McDonald, Snuggle Bear, Skating Snoopy (3rd version), Ice Cream Cone Novelty Balloon
1986: Baby Shamu, Humpty Dumpty, Nestlé Quik Bunny
1985: Betty Boop, Ornament Novelty Balloons
1984: Garfield, Raggedy Ann
1983: Yogi Bear
1982: Olive Oyl with Sweetpea (first female character in parade history), Woody Woodpecker,
1980: Superman (3rd version, largest balloon to appear in parade)
1977: Kermit the Frog
1975: Weeble
1972: Smile (Happy Face), Mickey Mouse (2nd version), Astronaut Snoopy (2nd version, a tribute to Apollo 11)
1968: Aviator Snoopy
1966: Smokey Bear, Superman (2nd version)
1965: Underdog
1964: Linus the Lionhearted
1963: Sinclair Oil Dinosaur, Elsie the Cow
1962: Donald Duck
1961: Bullwinkle J. Moose
1960: Happy Dragon
1957: Popeye
1951: Lucky Pup, Mighty Mouse, Flying fish
1949: Toy soldier
1948: Harold the Fireman (4th version)
1947: Artie The Pirate, Gnome, Harold the Police Officer (3rd version)
1946: Harold the Baseball Player (2nd version)
1945: Harold the Clown (1st version)
1940: Eddie Cantor, one of only two balloons based on a living person or people, The Tin Man
1939: Superman
1938: Uncle Sam
1935: The Marx Brothers (after Zeppo Marx’s departure)
1934: Mickey Mouse
1931: Mama, Papa and Baby
1927: Felix the Cat (Pictured Above)
The Parade has always taken place in Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs that make up New York City. Originally the parade started from 145th Street in Harlem and ended at Herald Square, a 6-mile route.
In the 1930s, the balloons were inflated in the area of 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue near St. John the Divine Cathedral. The parade proceeded South on Amsterdam Ave. to 106th Street and turned east. At Columbus Ave. the balloons had to be lowered to go under the 9th Avenue Elevated Subway tracks. Past the tracks, the parade proceeded through 106th street to Central Park West and turned South to terminate at Macy’s Department Store.
A new route was established for the 2009 parade. From 77th Street and Central Park West, the route goes south along Central Park to Columbus Circle, then goes east along Central Park South. The parade then makes a right turn at 7th Avenue and goes south to Times Square. At 42nd Street the parade turns left and goes east, then at 6th Avenue turns right again at Bryant Park. Heading south on 6th Avenue, the parade turns right at 34th Street (Herald Square) and proceeds west to the terminating point at 7th Avenue where the floats are taken down. The 2009 route change eliminated Broadway completely, where the parade has traveled down for decades. The City of New York said that the new route will provide more space for the parade, and more viewing space for spectators. Another reason for implementing the route change is the city’s plan to turn Broadway into a pedestrian-only zone at Times Square. There are plans to eliminate Times Square altogether and reroute the parade down Sixth Avenue for 2011, a move that is being protested by the Times Square BID, Broadway theatre owners and other groups. The move is an effort to enforce some measure of exclusivity for NBC, the parade’s official broadcaster, by moving the parade away from CBS’s studios in Times Square.
It is not advised to view the parade from Columbus Circle, as balloon teams race through it due to higher winds in this flat area.
New York City officials preview the parade route and try to eliminate as many potential obstacles as possible, including rotating overhead traffic signals out of the way.
Things have not gone so smoothly through out the years. Here are a list of incidents:
In 1957, a Popeye the Sailor balloon’s hat filled with rain water during heavy rain, which caused the balloon to go off-course and pour water on the crowd.
In 1985, the Kermit the Frog balloon tore at the stomach. No one was injured.
In 1986, a Raggedy Ann balloon crashed into a lamppost and sent a lamp into the street. The same year, a Superman balloon had its hand torn off by a tree. Neither incident caused any injuries.
In 1993, the Sonic the Hedgehog balloon crashed into a lamppost at Columbus Circle and injured an off-duty police officer.
In 1994, the Barney balloon tore its side on a lamppost, but no one was injured.
In 1995, the Dudley the Dragon balloon that was leading the parade was speared and deflated on a lamppost and showered glass on the crowd below.
In 1997, high winds pushed the Cat in the Hat balloon into a lamppost. The falling debris struck a parade-goer, fracturing her skull and leaving her in a coma for a month. Size rules were implemented the next year, eliminating larger balloons like the Cat in the Hat. The same high winds also caused the New York Police to stab and stomp down the Barney balloon over crowd concerns. They also stabbed a Pink Panther balloon for the same reason. Neither balloon actually caused any injuries.
In 2005, the M&M’s chocolate candies balloon caught on a streetlight in Times Square. Two sisters were struck by falling debris, suffering minor injuries. As a result, new safety rules were introduced. Those rules came in handy for the 2006 parade, as balloons were lowered because of rain and high winds. The M&M’s balloon was retired after 2006, and replaced by a float saluting Broadway theatre and musicals.
There is also a symbolism that happens at the end of the parade. Santa arrives at the end of the parade to bring in the beginning of the Christmas season. It always made me feel festive once Santa arrived.
So every thanksgiving morning I celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season by baking cinnamon rolls and watching the parade. I also continue this tradition in remembrance of my grandma who passed a few years ago, and who though we rarely seen eye to eye, this is one activity that we both enjoyed.
If you wish to watch this year’s parade, it is typically on the local news channels and on at 9am. Here in California it is on channel’s 2 and 5 at 9am. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thanks for reading,
Retro, Vintage, Passe, Nostalgic, items living new lives
Copyright: http://www.nostalgic-designs.com
We have all seen the shows on TV such as American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Cash and Cari, and Antique Roadshow. All show Retro, Vintage, Passe, Nostalgic, items being bought and sold which I find very interesting. I record all of these shows with my DVR. We all watch these shows and we find ourselves interested in the history of the items and enjoy learning about the life of the items. What we don’t think about is where it goes after the sale. In shows like American Pickers and Pawn Stars we can often spot items that they have purchased in previous shows in the background on their shelves and display cases. But that doesn’t mean that these items stay on those shelves and collect dust. At some point they will sell and be on their way to a new home. That is what I find interesting. I can spend hours and hours and hours in antique shops, thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales looking for items that I wish to rescue. I really have a problem haha. I never have collected items to make money. Otherwise it would not be as fun. Most if the items I have were either from my family, or things that I purchased to use or display. Rarely to I buy an Item that I do not plan to use. For example I own a ton of old vinyl records and even though they are really old and fragile, I still play them as they were originally intended to be. I take care of each of my items and I would never compromise the condition, but I do use my items. I have old cameras and I do use them from time to time. I used most of them during my time in my photography class in High School. On these shows each one has a different items that they buy and sell, but they have one thing in common, they all save Retro, Vintage, Passe, Nostalgic items and allow them to live another life, instead of being thrown away after not being noticed at an estate sale, or someone not knowing the value of that item. Everything has a value to someone. I have seen collections that range from simple common PEZ Dispensers to Maytag washing machines. So before you throw out anything, please check ebay to see if they have the item listed so you can see the demand, and also the cost of the item. Although even though there is only one listed on ebay this may not mean that there is a demand for it. As well as if there is a few of the item listed and one is selling for $1000 and the others are selling for $20 this does not reflect a true value. Just like auto auctions that are televised their prices are inflated. For example, I have seen a 1976 Ford Pinto sell on the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction on the Speed Channel for a jaw dropping $12,650. Which is outrageous. Especially for a car that sold new for just under $2000 and was meant to be a fix to the gas crisis, just like Toyota Prius’s are today. You can view the Pinto here “The 12,000 Pinto”
If you don’t have cable or have not see either of these shows, I will explain what each show is about.
Photo Copyright: http://www.cdn.wg.uproxx.com
Pawn Stars: (synopsis from Wikipedia) An American reality television series on the History Channel, produced in Manhattan by Leftfield Pictures. The series is filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it chronicles the daily activities at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a 24-hour family business operated by patriarch Richard Harrison, his son Rick Harrison (who opened the shop with his father in 1988), and Rick’s son Corey, who has worked there since childhood, and who is being groomed to one day take over the shop. The show debuted on July 26, 2009, and it usually airs on Mondays at 10pm Eastern Time. Two new episodes usually premiere in an hour block on Mondays. Reruns can be seen on History as well as Lifetime, which added the show in December 2010.
The series depicts the staff’s interactions with customers, who bring in a variety of artifacts to sell or pawn and who are shown haggling over the price and discussing its historical background, with narration provided by Rick, Corey, and Richard, who is known as “The Old Man”. The series also follows the interpersonal conflicts between Richard, Rick, Corey, and Corey’s friend Austin “Chumlee” Russell, another employee of the shop. One reviewer referencing these conflicts described the show as a version of Antiques Roadshow “hijacked by American Chopper’s” Teutul family. TV Guide has offered a similar description, calling the show “one part Antiques Roadshow, a pinch of LA Ink and a dash of COPS“.
Numerous local experts in a variety of areas also regularly appear to appraise the items being sold or pawned, one of whom, Rick Dale of Rick’s Restorations, is the star of the series’ first spin-off, American Restoration, which premiered in October 2010
Photo Copyrigh: http://www.inherited-values.com
American Pickers: (synopsis from Wikipedia) The show follows Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, who have known each other since junior high school as they travel around the greater Midwestern United States as well as the eastern and southern U.S. in a Mercedes Sprinter, buying antiques and collectibles. They work with Danielle Colby-Cushman, who runs the office of their business, Antique Archaeology, from their home base in Le Claire, Iowa and attempts to track down potential sellers.
Wolfe and Fritz explore people’s homes, barns, sheds, and other outbuildings, and other places where they have collected antiques and collectibles. They call upon casual collectors, hoarders and, occasionally, people who have inherited overwhelming collections of apparent junk. Wolfe, who has been “picking” since age four, has a particular interest in antique motorcycles, old bicycles and penny-farthings, while Fritz has a fondness for antique toys, antique oil cans, and old Hondas. They have purchased old advertisements and commercial signage, film posters, a rare 15-gallon visible gasoline pump, and a Piaggio Ape (similar to a Vespa Motor Scooter) that one of their friends told them is probably the only one of its kind in North America.
Photo Copyright: http://www.TVguide.com
Cash and Cari: A new reality series Cash & Cari, featuring antiques and collectibles enthusiast Cari Cucksey. For those of you who love potentially valuable old things, Cash & Cari is probably the show for you. The series, which premiered on January 2nd on HGTV, follows Cari Cucksey as she digs through her client’s basements and attics in the hopes of finding items of value. The episodes will follow her search for treasure and her attempts to sell the things she does come across at estate sales.
There is so many shows that I really get into but these are the main shows that I watch regularly. Some of the items that drop into their hands are amazing. Items that range from a book from Sir Isaac newton’s personal library, rare toys, antique firearms, and vintage collectibles. I am very happy that they have shows like this that help engage the younger generations into items that are Retro, Vintage, Passe, and Nostalgic. Older items are now considered “cool” to the younger crowds to where typically these items would be considered old junk. Although on the flip side of that, just like the auto auctions, it drives the prices up as people think that because they have an item that is similar to an item shown on either one of these shows that its worth a million dollars. So it does make things a little harder to afford, although again on the flip side of that, it does make my items worth more too. So if you get the chance to see these shows you can catch these shows at the following times and channels:
(Click on a show below to view their website for more info)
American Pickers: History Channel – On Mondays @ 6:00 PM
Pawn Stars: History Channel – On Mondays @ 7:00 PM & 7:30PM
Cash andCari: HGTV (Home and Garden TV) – On Monday’s (check HGTV for times)
I hope you all enjoy these shows while they are on. As we all know that the interest with Retro, Vintage, Passe, and Nostalgic items does come and go just as these shows will eventually be out of the spotlight of the public’s interest.
Thanks for reading,
- Home Decor
- 1940's
- Ebay Finds
- TV Shows/Movies
- Amusements
- 1950's
- Retro Wear
- Nostalgia
- googie
on February 1, 2011 at 12:59 AM Comments (1)Tags: vintage, retro, old, cool, hip, fresh, 1950's, 1940's, 1930's, lifestyle, alternative, blog, wwii, era, swing, dancing, big band, music culture, rat rod, kustom, hot rod, lowrider, project, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Plymouth, Pontiac, Coupe, Master Deluxe, Special Deluxe, Bomb, White Walls, Cruising Skirts, Visor, Accesories, Truck, Chevrolet, Pick Up, disney, disneyland, cartoons, films, hayward, oakland, san francisco, Music, love, romance, respect, reno, movies, theaters, restoration, history, historical, preservation, san lorenzo Slot Machching ching, ballys, quarter machine, nickel machine, slots, kodak, movie camera, 8mm film, old movies, tiki, Retro Retailers, 8ball store, retro stores, bar glasses, playland, laughing sal, ocean beach, Val's Burgers, vals, hamburgers, hamburger stand, diner, drive in, castro valley, retro toys, retroplanet.com, retro planet, tin signs, 1950's diner, b17, aluminum overcast, pilots, bombers, airplanes, aircraft, red tractor, dublin california, where to eat, comfort food, orangeade, gadgets, gizmos, media centre, retro computer, retro pc, tattoos, flasks, cigaretter cases, retro a go go, go go, retroagogo.com, ma and pa kettle, old comedy, old tv shows, Percy Kilbride, Marjorie Main, ma and pa kettle math, pickers, american pickers, history channel, antiques, Antique Archaeology, barn finds, vintage junk, hot dog cooker, popcorn machine, soda machine, nostalgia electrics', retro appliances, retro kitchen, nifty, Passion for Retro in Australia, kissing sailor, famous wwii photos, car show, american dream machines, pacific coast dream machines, cobra, half moon bay, pawn stars, cash and cari, Passe, Nostalgic, * 1940's * 1950's * Misc * Nostalgia on April 30, 2010 at 1:09 AM Leave a Comment Edit This Tags: 1920's