OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL…CLOWN SCHOOL!

MACY’S VOLUNTEERS GET SCHOOLED IN THEIR FAVORITE SUBJECT: HOW TO BE A CLOWN 101, BEFORE THEIR LIVELY DEBUT AT THE 87TH ANNUAL MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE®

 Macy’s Clown U. hosted by professional clowns at the Big Apply Circus will take place on 

Saturday, November 16th

New York City, New York - Bring out the red noses and colorful hair! It’s that time of year again for 900 Macy’s volunteers to pave the streets of New York City with confetti and swap smiles with those young and old at the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

. 

Since its inception in 1924, clowns haven been an intricate part of the festivities as the only 

Parade element that interacts directly with adoring fans on Thanksgiving Day. 

Being the class clown might sound like funny business, but cracking jokes and throwing 

confetti is no laughing matter. Before these jesters head to Herald Square, they must first 

learn a thing or two at Macy’s Clown U. on Saturday, November 16th. Teaching these clown 

newbies are New York’s favorite jester’s from the Big Apple Circus. The Circus crew will 

teach a few tricks of the trade ranging from Entry Level Confetti Creations to Clown Car 

Driving 101. Unlike most classrooms, Clown U. takes place right under the big top allowing for 

wacky antics of all sorts. Volunteers will get a full understanding of what it takes to bring 

happiness to millions as they walk…or prank fall down the Parade route on Thanksgiving Day. 

After completing their rigorous courses in fun and frenzy, the students finally graduate into 

their role as Macy’s Parade clowns. On Thanksgiving Day at 6 AM, these new clowns will meet 

with their assigned troupe and start getting prepared for their big walk. This includes their 

hilarious makeovers, applying rosy cheeks and red noses and of course swapping a few jokes 

or two. This year, two new clown groups will join in on the fun. Viking Clowns will escort a 

larger-than-life confetti-pult, while Racing Rabbits will get riled up by the one-and-only 

Richard Simmons. 

Early Parade morning, the kings and queens of laughter will meet at the designated funny 

spot called Clown Corner. Once the all familiar phrase, “3,2,1… Let’s Have a Parade™

 rings through the streets of New York City, the clowns do what they have been taught at Clown U. – 

share a laugh or two with adoring fans in the audience and bring smiles to all during their 

Turkey Day fun. 

Following is a list of clown troupes featured in the 

87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: 

Arrrsome Pirates 

Birthday Party Clowns 

Breakfast Clowns with Egg Trike 

Celebration Clowns 

Circus Clowns 

Clown U. Kazoo Band 

Corny-Copia Clowns 

Funny Farm and Hoedown Clowns 

Funny Fire Brigade Clowns with Fire Truck 

Half-Baked holiday Clowns 

Hi-Roller Skating Clowns 

Holiday Clowns 

Keystone Cops and Robbers 

Malt Shop Clowns 

Nutty Crackers Ballet and Sugar Plump Fairies 

Nutty Professor Einstein and Wacky Graduates 

Patriotic Clowns 

Pool Hall Clowns 

Pre-K Clowns 

Racing Rabbits 

Rag Doll Clowns 

Santa’s Toy Box Clowns 

Silly Seaside Clowns and Bathing Beauty 

Sleep Clowns 

Springtime Clowns and Gnomes 

Turkey Tech Football Gobblers 

Viking Clowns 

Wild West Cowboys and Engineers