5. The parade has a connection to Grand Central Terminal
A hidden celestial mural in Grand Central, one of many beautiful works of art you can see at the terminal, was painted by the same artist who designed the original Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons, Tony Sarg. The mural can be found on the ceiling of what is now Central Cellars Wine & Spirits (formerly) Grande Harvest Wines.
The space was originally part of the Grand Central Theatre. Built in 1937, the theater was targeted specifically at commuters. The screen played newsreels, documentaries, and sometimes cartoons. It was part of the terminal for three decades.