"You Don't Know Peanuts", the official Peanuts podcast, launches

Peanuts Worldwide and the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat (the newspaper of Charles Schulz' hometown) have launched "You Don’t Know Peanuts," the first official Peanuts podcast.

Hosted by Melissa Menta, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Peanuts Worldwide (she's worked with the Peanuts crew for over 20 years), and David Templeton, an arts and entertainment journalist for the Press-Democrat, the new podcast is subtitled "The Untold Stories Behind the Greatest Comic Strip of All Times", and will feature interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of Peanuts in its many forms.

The first episode, on the timely subject of "The Untold Stories of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Peanuts Balloons," is available now.

Future episodes of "You Don't Know Peanuts" will include Jason Mendelson (son of legendary Peanuts writer/producer Lee Mendelson) with making-of stories from the classic animated specials; Marissa Nance of Native Tongue Communication discussing Franklin’s origin story; artist Eli Sudbrack on the Peanuts Global Artist Collective; and Hallmark archivist Samantha Stephens on the Peanuts brand’s history with Hallmark.

Each episode will also feature "love letters" from fans about the impact of Peanuts on their lives, and trivia challenges.

You can learn more about the podcast and listen to it at https://www.youdontknowpeanuts.com , or you can get it from your favorite podcast source, including (but not limited to) Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

For additional information, also see the press release or the Press-Democrat article announcing the podcast.

The Beagle Scout flies again!

The Beagle Scout Snoopy balloon will return to this year’s Macy’s 98th Annual Thanksgiving Parade.

The parade will air live from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday, Nov. 28. It will begin on Manhattan's Upper West Side, and conclude at Macy's Herald Square flagship store. The parade broadcast also will stream on Peacock, with an encore on NBC at 2 p.m. ET/PT.

The 55-foot tall Beagle Scout Snoopy wears his red Scout tie and green backpack; his pal Woodstock rides on his hat, to join the festivities. This balloon debuted to honor 2023’s 50th anniversary of the first appearance of Beagle Scouts in the Peanuts newspaper strip.

Snoopy continues to be the longest-running character in the parade’s history.  He started in 1968 as the Flying Ace; this was followed by an Astronaut, Ice Skater, Ice Skater with Woodstock, Millenium Snoopy, an updated Flying Ace, Snoopy and Woodstock, an updated Astronaut, and now (again) Beagle Scout with Woodstock. 

The new Snoopy balloon will be joined by a Peanuts float: Camp Snoopy, with Woodstock and friends perched on top of their tent, on the lookout for some wild turkeys.  This will be the sixth version of the Peanuts float; the first was way back in 1967!

If you want even more Beagle Scout fun following the parade, season 1 of Camp Snoopy is available via subscription on Apple TV+. 

Can Beagle Scouts fly?

(This special post is by 5CP Associate Editor Gayna Lamb-Bang.)

(Amended, to correct two mistakes; note, in particular, the parade start time.)

A new Snoopy balloon and Peanuts float will debut at this year’s 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

The parade will be televised from 8:30 a.m. to noon November 23rd, all time zones, on NBC-TV and also streaming via Peacock.

The 55-foot tall Beagle Scout Snoopy, wearing his red Scout tie and green backpack, with his pal Woodstock sitting on his hat, will join the festivities. This honors the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of Beagle Scouts in the Peanuts newspaper strip. (Check out the relevant strips below.)

Snoopy continues to be the longest-running character in the parade’s history.  He started in 1968 as the WWI Flying Ace, which was followed by an Astronaut, Ice Skater, Ice Skater with Woodstock, Millennium Snoopy, an updated Flying Ace, Snoopy and Woodstock, an updated Astronaut, and now the Beagle Scout with Woodstock. 

The new Peanuts float will feature Camp Snoopy, with Woodstock and friends perched on top of their tent, on the lookout for some wild turkeys.  

To top it all off, in 2024 Apple TV+ will present more of the Peanuts gang’s adventures, with the premiere of the “Camp Snoopy” series.

Snoopy debuted as an "apprentice Scout" on May 13, 1974

He hoped to become a Beagle Scout the following day...

...and he finally debuted as the World-Famous Beagle Scout on May 17.

Snoopy returns to the Macy's 96th annual Thanksgiving Parade

(This special post is by 5CP Associate Editor Gayna Lamb-Bang.)

The Thanksgiving Parade will be televised on NBC-TV from 9 a.m. to noon November 24th, all time zones, and also streaming via Peacock.

 

The orange-suited Astronaut Snoopy balloon returns to the festivities for the fourth consecutive year, making the World-Famous Beagle the parade’s longest-running balloon character. Also be on the lookout for the Snoopy's Doghouse Float, which represents Mission Control for the launch of Astronaut Snoopy!

 

NASA's "zero-gravity indicator"

Snoopy’s flight along the parade route of downtown New York’s streets will take place shortly after NASA’s November 14th launch of the giant Artemis I rocket.  It will be the first of three uncrewed Artemis I flights designed to circle the moon and return to Earth. The subsequent Artemis II flights, a few years later, will include a crew.  Astronaut Snoopy — in a much smaller form than his balloon persona — will be onboard as a zero-gravity indicator alerting Mission Control of the moment each flight achieves weightlessness.

Snoopy’s involvement with NASA hearkens back to 1969’s Apollo 10 mission, when the command module was named Charlie Brown, and the lunar module was named Snoopy.

Not bad for a World War I Flying Ace!

 

Time for Macy's 95th Annual Thanksgiving Parade

Snoopy is back again!

 

Save the date!

 

New Yorkers and visitors once again will be able to enjoy the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in person. After nearly two years of intense social distancing, we’ve no doubt this will be one of the best-attended parades ever.

 

The balloon(s) will go up — literally! — on November 25th. Folks not able to attend the 95th annual Macy’s Parade in person, can watch all the fun from 9 a.m. to noon, all time zones, on NBC-TV.

Astronaut Snoopy will return for the third consecutive year, continuing the world-famous beagle’s record as the longest-running balloon character in the parade.  Snoopy is delighted to know his ground crew will be back, because being driven by a utility vehicle — last year, due to Covid restrictions — was simply not the same.

Snoopy is back again!

Save the date!

On November 26th, the 94th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air from

9 am to noon, all time zones, on NBC-TV.

 

Due to COVID19, this will not be the typical crowd-filled, two-and-a-half-mile route starting at West 77th Street.  The balloons will not be flown by handlers; they will be driven by utility vehicles and joined by floats gliding just one city block down 34th Street, near the flagship department store, and without an audience.  Marching bands will not be included, but the casts of four currently shuttered Broadway shows will perform instead. 

A scene from 2019, when handlers were allowed to fly Snoopy.

 

Astronaut Snoopy will return, continuing his record as the longest-running balloon character.

For a complete history of the various Peanuts character balloons that have flown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, see here.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving airs Wednesday, November 27, 2019 on ABC

This year ABC is airing A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, together with This is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers, on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 from 8-9 PM (Eastern/Pacific time). That's the night before the holiday - plan your travels so that you arrive at your destination in time to catch it!

Plus, don't forget that the brand-new Astronaut Snoopy balloon will be floating down the streets of New York in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which airs from 9 AM to Noon (same broadcast time, all time zones) Thursday, November 28, 2019 on NBC.  See our previous blog post for more details about the new balloon.

And looking further ahead... the full, unedited A Charlie Brown Christmas, accompanied by the Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales shorts, will be shown from 8-9 PM (Eastern/Pacific) on Thursday, December 5, 2019 on ABC.

Snoopy Returns to Space

Save the date!

On November 28th, the 93rd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air from 9 am to noon, all time zones, on NBC-TV. You won’t want to miss it, because an updated version of Astronaut Snoopy — presented by Peanuts Worldwide and NASA — will be featured in the line-up of super-sized balloons. 

Astronaut Snoopy will be in the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing, and to promote the 12-part Apple TV+ series: Snoopy in Space.  You won’t be able to miss him; he’s 49 feet tall, 43 feet long, and 29 feet wide!

For additional information about this Snoopy balloon, and Peanuts’ history in the annual Macy’s parade — along with fun facts about Snoopy’s relationship with NASA — check out this informative article.

For additional information about Snoopy in Space, see our previous blog post.

This post contributed by Gayna Lamb-Bang.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving airs Nov 21, 2018 + Charlie Brown in Macy's Parade

ABC will show A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, together with This is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers, from 8-9 PM (Eastern/Pacific) on the evening before Thanksgiving - Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

And then on Thanksgiving Day itself (Thursday, November 22), the Macys' Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature the "Charlie Brown and his kite" balloon, returning for the third year in a row. The parade airs from 9 AM - noon (all time zones) on NBC.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving airs Nov 22, 2017 + Charlie Brown in Macy's Parade

ABC will show A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, together with This is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers, from 8-9 PM (Eastern/Pacific) on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

And on Thanksgiving Day itself (Thursday, November 23), the "Charlie Brown and his kite" balloon is returning for the second year in the Macys' Thanksgiving Day Parade.  You can watch the parade from 9 AM - noon (all time zones) on NBC.

Charlie Brown returns to the sky!

(This special post is by 5CP Associate Editor Gayna Lamb-Bang)

This is a maquette of the new Charlie Brown balloon, used in the Macy's studio as a
reference for the full-size balloon.

This upcoming 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will replace last year’s Snoopy and Woodstock balloon with an updated version of the Charlie Brown balloon.  Our favorite blockhead previously flew the New York sky back in 2012.  (See previous blog entry for a complete history and rundown of the Peanuts balloons in the annual Macy’s parade.)

This all-new 2016 balloon will feature our good friend Chuck flying his kite, rather than attempting to kick his football.

Details on his creation can be found in this nifty article.

A History of Peanuts Balloons in the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

(This special post is by 5CP Associate Editor Gayna Lamb-Bang.)

After watching last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and anticipating the oversized balloons of our pals Snoopy and Woodstock, I wondered about the Peanuts balloon legacy in this annual celebration.

1968 WWI Flying Ace Snoopy

I quickly discovered that information was both scarce, and frequently inaccurate.

In the interests, then, of providing an authoritative chronology of the association between Macy’s and the Peanuts gang, I spent considerable time researching the topic. The goal was to find and provide an absolutely accurate listing, at all times cross-checked with photos and news coverage from reputable sources.

Let’s start with a few fun facts:

• New York City’s famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade began in 1924, complete with live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. Beginning in 1927 — not 1928, as numerous Internet sites incorrectly claim — the live animals were replaced by large balloons designed by famed puppeteer Tony Sarg, and built by Bil Baird. A terrific Smithsonian Magazine article profiled Sarg in November 2013, and the Norman Rockwell Museum mounted a delightful exhibit devoted to him from June 10 through November 5, 2023.

• Snoopy, in various personas, has been in this parade more than any other character. 

Newspaper ad for the 1969 parade

• The average height of the large balloons, like our pal Snoopy, is roughly six stories.

• The ground-based balloon handlers must weigh at least 125 pounds.

• For many year's, Macy's promoted the parade with detailed, full-page newspaper ads that sometimes even listed the scheduled balloons and floats.  

• Until 2011, the floats and balloons were built in a former Tootsie Roll factory in Hoboken, New Jersey. The parade construction facility then moved to a larger warehouse in Carlstadt, also in New Jersey. 

• During the very early hours of parade day, everything travels through the Lincoln Tunnel, to get to the parade’s starting point in Manhattan. Once there, the balloons are inflated with a mix of helium and outside air, just a few hours before the parade begins.

• These days, roughly 2 million spectators line the streets of Manhattan, to view the parade. The event lasts approximately three hours, and covers two and a half miles.

New Peanuts float debuts, Snoopy balloon returns in 2015 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

Look for Peanuts characters both in the air and on the ground in this year's 89th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A returning favorite, the Snoopy and Woodstock balloon will make its third consecutive appearance sailing above the crowds - and the 39th time overall a Snoopy balloon has appeared in the parade, starting with the first appearance in 1968.

Meanwhile, down below on the road, a new "Snoopy's Doghouse" float will celebrate the 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas.  The float will feature elements from the classic television special, including Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree and Snoopy’s prize-winning decorated doghouse, along with several of the Peanuts characters themselves.

Preview of the new float. Photo courtesy of Mitsu Yasukawa/NorthJersey.com

(A Peanuts-themed float has appeared at least once before in the parade; it also featured Snoopy's doghouse, but this is a completely new float.)

If you can't be in New York City in person, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be televised from 9 AM - Noon on Thursday, November 26, 2015 on NBC. (All time zones; the Macy's Parade broadcast starts at 9 AM, regardless of which time zone you're in.)

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The parade balloon and float aren't the end of Macy's celebration of Peanuts in 2015; this year, the store's traditional holiday window displays will feature a Charlie Brown Christmas theme.  According to the company's press release, "the Broadway windows at Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square in New York City will debut incredible animated scenes from the iconic television special [...] additionally, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the theme that will decorate the holiday windows at Macy’s downtown stores in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C."  So you might want check it out if you live near one of those locations!

You can see a preview of the NYC windows and a peek at how they were made in this video from USA Today.

Snoopy and Woodstock balloon to return in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2014

Snoopy and his best buddy Woodstock will return to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

The balloon featuring Woodstock atop a soaring Snoopy debuted in last year's parade; 2014 will be its second outing, and Snoopy's 38th parade appearance overall.

The TV broadcast of the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs Thursday, November 27, 2014 from 9 AM - Noon on NBC. (All time zones; the Macy's Parade broadcast starts at 9 AM, regardless of which time zone you're in.)  Advance press says there will be a live stream of the broadcast on NBC.com as well.

New Snoopy and Woodstock balloon to debut in 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Snoopy balloon will have a new look as it floats down the streets of Manhattan in the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year, Snoopy will be soaring together with Woodstock when the famous canine from the Peanuts comic strip makes his 37th parade appearance.

Model of the new Snoopy and Woodstock balloon

The new balloon is the seventh different depiction of Snoopy to take part in the parade; previous balloons have shown Snoopy as an astronaut; an ice skater (with and without Woodstock); "Millennium Snoopy;" and of course the World War I Flying Ace.

In fact, Snoopy now holds two Macy's Parade records: most appearances by the same character (starting with his debut in 1968), and now most balloon versions as well.

The 87th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on Thursday, November 28, 2013 from 9 AM - Noon on NBC. (All time zones; the Macy's Parade broadcast starts at 9 AM, regardless of which time zone you're in.) So tune in and check out the latest in beagle balloon fashion!

UPDATE Nov 13: The news site NorthJersey.com has posted a series of photos showing the new balloon's test flight, giving a better idea of what it looks like.

Peanuts TV specials broadcast schedule for Thanksgiving 2012 and the following week

The Peanuts gang is going to be showing up on television quite a few times this week and next; here's a complete list. All times below are for the Eastern and Pacific time zones.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will be broadcast both Wednesday, November 21 (the day before Thanksgiving) and Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving day itself). The special will air from 8 - 9 PM on ABC both evenings. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will be shown uncut, together with an abbreviated version of "This is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers."

The "Charlie Brown and the Elusive Football" balloon will be making a return appearance in the Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22. The parade will be shown on NBC from 9 AM - Noon.  (The Snoopy balloon is not being retired, as some news reports might have you believe - Snoopy's just letting Charlie Brown have a turn this year, as he has in some previous years.)

On Friday, November 23 (the day after Thanksgiving), FOX will broadcast Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, the most recent Peanuts animated special, from 8 - 9 PM .

Then the cable channel ABC Family will be showing A Boy Named Charlie Brown and Snoopy Come Home, the first two Peanuts theatrical movies, on Monday, November 26. Snoopy Come Home airs from 5 - 7 PM, and A Boy Named Charlie Brown airs from 7 - 9 PM (all times Eastern/Pacific).

Finally, A Charlie Brown Christmas will receive its first broadcast of the year on Wednesday, November 28. It will air from 8 - 9 PM on ABC. The special will be unedited, and accompanied by a shortened version of Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales and the non-Peanuts short Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa.

(Don't worry, if you prefer to see A Charlie Brown Christmas closer to the actual holiday, it will air again on December 18.)

Happy viewing!

Charlie Brown balloon returns to the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

It wouldn't be the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade without a Peanuts balloon, and 2012 will be no exception.

This year's balloon will be "Charlie Brown and the Elusive Football," which first appeared in the 2002 parade and has made several appearances since then.

The Charlie Brown balloon will be accompanied by a float featuring the Peanuts characters on the ground. Macy's says, "As Charlie Brown returns to the sky over the Macy’s Parade, his Peanuts pal Woodstock helps guide the way down the route. Snoopy’s famous doghouse is air traffic control headquarters and Woodstock is the official in charge. Checking out the scene to watch Charlie try to catch that elusive football will be the Peanuts gang including Snoopy, Lucy and Linus."

(The Snoopy balloon is not being retired, as some news reports might have you believe - Snoopy's just letting Charlie Brown have a turn this year, as he has in some previous years.)

You can watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC from 9 AM - Noon (all time zones) on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22.

Jean Schulz at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

In this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Jean Schulz was one of the "balloon handlers" for the Snoopy Flying Ace balloon.  You can read about her experience and see her photos in her blog post on the Schulz Museum website.

The Flying Ace joins Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for sixth time

Don't forget that in addition to the two Peanuts specials airing Thanksgiving evening, in the morning there's the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where Snoopy will be joining the parade again in his guise as the World War I Flying Ace.

2011 is the sixth consecutive year the Flying Ace balloon has been part of the Macy's Parade, and in fact Snoopy has been in the Parade more times than any other character — 36 years total, according to this article from USA Today — since he first joined the Parade in 1968.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast from 9-12 AM, Thursday, November 24, on NBC (the broadcast time is the same in all time zones).

You might also want to check out The 85th Anniversary Of The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade special that airs on NBC Thanksgiving evening from 10-11 PM (Eastern/Pacific). The special is a retrospective look at the floats, balloons, and performances that have appeared in the Parade over the years. We can't promise that Snoopy will be featured in the special, but you wouldn't think they'd leave him out, would you?

Macy's Snoopy Balloon Steals Our Hearts in 'Tower Heist'

Heads up, Peanuts fans: The caper comedy Tower Heist, which opens nationwide this Friday, November 4, features a key sequence that takes place during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving parade ... and includes plenty of glimpses of Snoopy's massive WWI Flying Ace balloon. Better still, Snoopy's balloon actually figures in the plot, and gets a scripted shout-out from Ben Stiller. Get your tickets early!
(And if you'd like to read 5CP site guru Derrick Bang's review of the film, check out his movie blog here. Remember, he's a film critic in real life.)