The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has been a tradition of Thankgiving for decades. It started out as a way for the employees of Macy’s to say thank you to New York. Macy’s started using balloons in their parade in 1927 and it has been tradition since. Here’s a collection of 19 amazing vintage photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloons from the early days.

Here’s a floating dachshund. Image: Macy’s Inc.

The only balloon to be modeled after a real person was this one, for entertainer Eddie Cantor. Image: Macy’s Inc.

Father Knickerbocker floats through the streets. Image: Macy’s Inc.

Ferdinand the Bull. Image: Macy’s Inc.

A huge fish from 1938. Looks like something from a Guillermo del Toro movie. Image: Macy’s Inc.

Gridiron glories have long been a Thanksgiving tradition. Here, a footballer makes a dash down a street. Image: Macy’s Inc.

An early incarnation of Mickey Mouse. Image: Macy’s Inc.

A pilgrim–firmly in the Thanksgiving spirit. Image: Macy’s Inc.

Yarr–the pirate was a fan favorite in early years. Image: Macy’s Inc.

A soldier. Image: Macy’s Inc.

This spaceman was an early favorite–a relic of the space race era. Image: Macy’s Inc.

This Christmas stocking offered floats within a float. Image: Macy’s Inc.

Here, a dino, from 1963. Image: Macy’s Inc.

Another shot from 1963. Image: Macy’s Inc.

This shot reminds us that the early years overlapped with the golden age of airships–it’s from 1930. The Hindenburg would crash 7 years later. Image: Macy’s Inc.

A clown floats through New York City in the 1940 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Image: Macy’s Inc.

A clown, from 1938. Image: Macy’s Inc.

This dachshund was a staple in early years. Image: Macy’s Inc.

Harold the Baseball Player, a representative for the national pastime. Image: Macy’s Inc.

(via WIRED)