To think this is the most American thing I have seen?

[LadyIrisBarclay]

Its the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - don't quite appreciate the enormity of Thanksgiving (as a Brit) but the video is fascinating.

Struggling to think of anything more patriotic and feeling a little envious that we don't have anything on an equivalent scale here in the UK and we would probably shit it up if we did

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our US Mumsnetters!

This was the best viewpoint I could find and its a livestream - you need to be logged into Facebook to see it.

www.facebook.com/usatoday/videos/10155584427700667/?hc_ref=ARS34P89vkpfTA5hNEQTRh8HYpUYRXu9ubzrbmruG0S07GyVSWWLhIXBhOZ3375LGhk

The size of the balloons!

I know! The whole thing, it looks amazing (although isn't the planet running out of helium?)

anything more patriotic I gave up after the first few minutes of a fast food chain character. What's patriotic about that?

You need to look at 4th of July parade videos. Will blow that away.

Ah yes. The annual celebration of genocide and subjugation of an entire indigenous population. But they have nice balloons so all’s good.

Watching the parade makes me homesick! Yes, to non Americans, our parades probably look ridiculous. But ya know, apparently we don’t like doing anything half assed. I’m about to FaceTime with my family at home, as I live in the UK. I’ll miss the oversized turkey being rotisserie deep fried! Oh America, I miss you. -homesick American

I am from the US, and can take or leave the holiday, but I do love the campiness of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade!

This was the first time since 1989 (I moved to the UK) that I was able to watch the parade live- thanks to a Mumsnetters suggestion! It has been the best Thanksgiving evah!

Not sure if this link will work but, given the size of our country, (smaller than some of the 57 US states!) I think this is far more impressive!

www.facebook.com/pg/NormalForGlastonbury/videos/?ref=page_internal

Glastonbury carnival floats. They are huge, and magnificent and there are hours and hours of them!

(scroll down to 'All videos' and play the first one dated 19 November)

I always loved watching the parade on TV Gives you a nice warm feeling. Our local High school band played in the parade one year, the whole area was so excited to see them on TV.

BTW: we have 50 states, 1 district, and various territories. But, not 57 states. Carry on!

Is there a balloon hierarchy?
Do they pay shit loads to get a good slot?

Amd Ooops! I was thinking of Heinz 57 varieties obviously!

My son got really excited over the chase balloon, didn’t care about any of the others 😂

Ah yes. The annual celebration of genocide and subjugation of an entire indigenous population. But they have nice balloons so all’s good

Yup - you're not wrong and a lot of American friends genuinely don't seem to see the comparison between that and British Imperialism.

But you know - Pillsbury Doughboy

We couldn't have anything equivalent here - anything remotely smacking of patriotism would be sneered at by the Guardianista fraternity, and everyone participating would be damned as a moronic and xenophobic Little Englander.

They wouldn't object to the Scots or Welsh (or the French, or any other nationality) doing their own flag-waving thing - it's only England who'd get it in the neck.

Yes, to non Americans, our parades probably look ridiculous

They don't look ridiculous at all - it's just lovely to see folk throw their hearts and souls into something fun

If it's any consolation I miss America too, and I'm not even American!! Spend a lot of time in your wonderful country though ...

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER
We couldn't have anything equivalent here - anything remotely smacking of patriotism would be sneered at by the Guardianista fraternity, and everyone participating would be damned as a moronic and xenophobic Little Englander.
They wouldn't object to the Scots or Welsh (or the French, or any other nationality) doing their own flag-waving thing - it's only England who'd get it in the neck.

Very well said. Not to mention their absolute horror at seeing an English flag on display. But hey, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish flags can flutter with no problem. Left wing bullshit at its finest.

Absolutely to the above! And I'm Scottish! I had abuse for having a teamgb toggi equestrian gilet on due to the Union flag on it by some bloody SNP lot in our local town!

Yup - you're not wrong and a lot of American friends genuinely don't seem to see the comparison between that and British Imperialism

LadyIrisBarclay, I think I’m a little bit in love with you.

I don’t actually consider the parade patriotic, but maybe that’s because the word patriotic has a bit of a different tinge these days. The Macy’s parade (or as it’s known in my family, “the Macy’s Day Parade”) is an institution, but it’s not political in any way. It’s just fun. We went a few times when I was a child and it was mayhem, but in a good way. Nowadays you can go the day before and see the balloons being blown up, which I’m told is fun with kids. I miss home.

Whereabouts exactly is this America?

Is it between Nigeria and Japan?