The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most anticipated holiday traditions in the United States, bringing joy and excitement to millions of viewers across the country each year. First held in 1924, the parade has grown into a beloved to-do, featuring massive floats, marching bands, and musical performances. With a history spanning over 90 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become a symbol of the holiday season, ushering in Thanksgiving Day and marking the official start of the festive season.

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This year, the Jennie-O Big Turkey Spectacular float will once again take center stage, showcasing its glitz and glamour for the fifth consecutive year. As one of the leading turkey brands in the U.S., Jennie-O has become a staple of the Thanksgiving meal, and their float in the parade is a reflection of the company’s commitment to bringing joy to families everywhere. Their float has become a standout feature. This year, Hormel Foods announced, it will be even more dazzling, with special guest T-Pain, the GRAMMY-winning artist, on board to perform a mash-up of his iconic hits.

Standing at 36 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 24 feet tall, the Jennie-O float is a massive visual spectacle. Its 200 pounds of glitter sparkle in the signature gold and green hues of the Jennie-O brand. The float’s turkey, whose tail feathers span an impressive 25 feet in width, towers two stories high, making it a truly awe-inspiring sight. For an extra bit of magic, the turkey is equipped with a motion-activated top hat that reveals a surprise: baby turkey figures (poults) that greet viewers during the parade.

T-Pain, known for his chart-topping hits such as “Buy U a Drank” and “I’m Sprung,” is no stranger to creating moments of surprise and excitement for his audience. “I can’t wait to make my debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the Jennie-O float,” T-Pain said. “I’ve got some surprises up my sleeve to help make it a happy turkey day and celebrate the start of the holiday season!”

This partnership between Jennie-O and T-Pain will take the Thanksgiving celebration to the next level, according to Kim Anderson, senior brand manager for the Jennie-O brand: “We are honored to be part of the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the fifth year in a row. This is an exciting time of year for our brand, and partnering with legendary artist T-Pain will bring even more joy to our float. You won’t want to miss The Big Turkey Spectacular this year!”

In addition to bringing excitement to parade-goers, Jennie-O is also committed to making holiday meals easy and delicious. Throughout the month of November, Jennie-O is offering resources to help families prepare for their holiday meals. From advice on cooking turkey to recipes for side dishes and tips on using leftovers, Jennie-O’s 1-800-TURKEYS hotline, live chat, and text support are available to alleviate any holiday meal planning stress.

The 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock on Thursday, Nov. 28.

Cover photo: T-Pain Set to Join 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Celebration / Photo Courtesy of Hormel Foods