Copyright Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a beloved American tradition that brings to life everyone’s favorite characters. And this year, a new one is joining the lineup. The annual celebration is “leveling up” and adding a giant balloon float that will take flight to honor the 45th birthday of pop culture icon PAC-MAN, along with the launch of the most recent game in the franchise, PAC-MAN WORLD™2 Re-PAC, which is sure to bring joy to children and adults of all ages. “As he makes his way through the streets of Manhattan, the ever-hungry hero will be ready to chomp anything and everything in sight. For 45 years, PAC-MAN has been delighting fans by eating up PAC-Dots and colorful Fruits while outsmarting his mischievous Ghost rivals – Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde,” the press release shared with Parade revealed. The first-ever debut appearance of the PAC-MAN balloon marks a major milestone moment for one of the world’s most recognizable icons in video game history. Created in collaboration with Macy’s Parade Studio, the balloon is larger-than-life, just like the video game icon, measuring 40 feet and 5 inches long, 38 feet and 9 inches wide, and 37 feet and 3 inches tall. It will pay homage to both classic and current PAC-MAN games, as the design draws “direct inspiration from “PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC,” a recently released remake of “one of the most popular PAC-MAN games of all time.” “As a tribute to the original game, PAC-MAN holds a pair of shiny red cherries – the very first bonus item Fruit gamers encounter in the 1980 arcade classic,” the release details. “Seeing PAC-MAN join one of America’s most cherished holiday traditions is an incredible way to celebrate the legacy and joy he continues to spark around the world. We can’t wait for fans everywhere to spot him chomping high above New York City this Thanksgiving,” said Susan Tran, Sr. Director of Brand Development for PAC-MAN at Bandai Namco. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Since his debut in 1980, the video game character has built a legacy as an entertainer spanning “generations,” who continues to “connect families, gamers, and nostalgic fans around the world.” Along with his simple design, he’s become a symbol of the ’80s arcade era, with the round and yellow character becoming instantly recognizable, going on to inspire many more games throughout the years, rooted in fun and nostalgia. In celebration, there will be additional activations and partnerships throughout the year to honor his impact on pop culture, including an “immersive pop-up experience this November at the iconic Macy’s Herald Square.” PAC-MAN isn’t the only new addition this year, as Super Mario will be joining the parade to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game, which launched in Japan in 1985, per Gaming Trend. There are plenty of newcomers for fans to look forward to this year, with Macy’s also tapping into the viral popularity of Pop Mart’s Labubu. Pop Mart revealed its float will be called “Friendsgiving in Pop City” and will include a furry, 16-foot-tall Labubu statue.
