NEW YORK — The makers of the Jennie-O® turkey brand will once again display its float in the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Thanksgiving spectacle will feature the Jennie-O® brand’s The Big Turkey Spectacular float, which will entertain parade attendees and millions of viewers nationwide on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 23. This will mark the fourth consecutive year that the Jennie-O® brand float has joined the parade line-up.
Paul Russell, the rising star behind the chart-topping viral hit “Lil Boo Thang,” will be making his Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut on the Jennie-O float, joining the festivities with a captivating performance. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram Reels, chances are you’ve already come across Paul Russell’s sensational song, which has taken social media by storm. His meteoric rise from posting original music and covers on social media platforms to headliner reflects his undeniable talent, and his participation in this year’s parade adds another exciting chapter to his remarkable journey.
“I’m hype to bring the cookout to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Jennie-O® brand! Such a dream come true to perform on a float. I can’t wait,” Russell said.
Standing at 36 feet long, 25 feet wide and 24 feet tall, The Big Turkey Spectacular float by the Jennie-O brand first debuted in 2020. This glittering float, adorned in the signature gold and green hues of the iconic brand, boasts over 200 pounds of sparkles, adding a touch of glamour to the festivities.
One of the standout features of the float is the turkey’s tail feathers, which span 25 feet in width and rise to a towering two stories tall. The feathers were constructed with enough steel tubing to stretch the length of a regulation football field from end zone to end zone and can even release confetti during the parade.
Adding an element of surprise and delight, the turkey proudly wears the Jennie-O brand’s colors of green and gold, and it features an advanced motion-activated top hat that reveals a heartwarming surprise as baby turkeys — referred to as poults — peek out and enchant viewers.
The Jennie-O brand will also use the parade’s national platform to showcase simple and delicious ideas for making turkey an everyday protein choice, both during and outside of the holiday season. This will include highlighting the brand’s high-quality products, cooking solutions, recipes and resources, empowering consumers everywhere to make any meal fun, flavorful and easy, the company said.
“We are excited to celebrate another milestone in our brand’s history by returning to the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Kim Anderson, senior brand manager with the Jennie-O® brand. “We’re thrilled to introduce Paul Russell to our cherished Thanksgiving tradition. With his chart-topping hit providing the perfect soundtrack to our celebration, we’re certain this year’s Parade will be an unforgettable experience for viewers nationwide.”
Throughout November, the Jennie-O brand’s consumer-engagement experts will be on hand to help alleviate stress around holiday meal planning at the company’s 1-800-TURKEYS hotline, through live chat on the brand’s website, and even by texting “Turkey” to 73876. From advice on how to prep and cook a turkey to recipes for side dishes and how to use leftovers, consumers can reach out for real-time support through Nov. 28 via the method that is most convenient for them. Also this year, in the days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, Jennie-O brand specialists are available around-the-clock.
The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide in the U.S. on NBC and stream on Peacock, on Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). For more information visit macys.com/parade. To follow and participate in the excitement, check out @macys on various social platforms and follow #MacysParade.